Employee onboarding

You’ll need certain details from your new employee before you can pay them, and also for record keeping and as required by law.

These employment forms can include:

• Tax declaration or withholding forms
• Retirement or superannuation deduction forms
• New hire reports

Employee onboarding begins before your new hire’s first day at work. Here are some key tasks to complete before your employee starts.

Documents you’ll need

• A copy of any licence required for the job (for example, a driver’s licence or forklift licence)
• For non-citizens, a copy of their working visa
• A copy of a recent P45 form (if your employee has one)
   

Set up their personnel records

• Salary record or wage and time record
• Leave and holiday record
   

Employee details you’ll need

• Full name, address, contact number, and email address
• Emergency contact details
• Any special medical needs
• Bank account details (if this is the method of payment for salary or wages)
   

Details to provide to your employee

• Any documents that can be read beforehand, such as training manuals, code of conduct, and information about work hours, break times, benefits, and holidays and leave
• Where to go and who to ask for on day one 
• The dress code
• Tools, equipment or other materials they’ll need to bring
   

Logistics

• Give them keys, an access card, or anything they’ll need to enter your workplace
• Set up their workstation and any equipment they’ll need
• Organise time for key team members to meet them
• Make sure any special medical needs are met

Employee onboarding doesn’t have to all be done on an employee’s first day. Too much information can be overwhelming, so try to space it over a few days or a week.

Make your employee welcome and get them set up

• Think about how to make them feel welcome; have morning tea to celebrate them starting or organise a lunch to introduce them to the team
• Make it a positive first day experience with a personal touch like a welcome card on their desk or a welcome package containing sweet treats and other goodies
• Give them any tools or equipment they need and show them how to use it
• Show them how to log in, set up, or access any resources they need
   

Show them around your workplace

• Organise a tour of the workplace, including facilities and amenities like the kitchen, toilets, and lockers
• Give them a health and safety briefing
  
  

Help your employee become fully engaged with your business

• Give them a snapshot of the history of your business
• Educate them about your customers and your products or services
• Share the company’s culture and values
   

Help them become successful at their job

• Explain why their role is important and how it fits into your business
• Go over the specifics of the job, including a clear explanation of duties and responsibilities and any expectations that need to be set from day one
• Describe any goals they need to meet
   

Let your employee in on the inner workings of your business

Ensure your employee understands the following:

• Workplace policies and practices
• The pay process
• The performance review process
• Any trial or probation period
• Any employee benefits and perks
• The process for resolving employee problems

Check on your new employee for the first few days and weeks. 

• Chat with them regularly to see how they’re going, answer any questions they have, and address any difficulties they’re experiencing
• Assign them a buddy, partner, or mentor who can help them get acquainted with the role