Your Onboarding Checklist

You'll have done all the behind the scenes necessities like the HR paperwork and setting up office equipment, but what should you do on a new employee's first day? It's important that a new hire feels welcomed and at ease in their new position, as well as informed about what they're expected to do and the layout of the premises.

The first day is an ideal time to give them a tour and introduce them to the key people they will be working with. Show them where they can find the communal kitchen, the toilets, the breakout zones. Also let them know where they can purchase food – don't just mention the canteen opening times, but make recommendations of nearby sandwich bars and restaurants.

Secondly, set them up with a peer mentor. It's good for new employees to have someone to show them the ropes, because it's daunting being thrown in at the deep end.

Then organise a follow-up meeting to see how they're getting on, ideally a couple of weeks after their start date. This will give you some idea of how they're settling in and finding the role, and their feedback can help you improve the onboarding process next time around.

Finally, set up a thirty, sixty and ninety-day check-up plan. You're more likely to lose them early on if there's nobody checking on how they are managing. Keep in regular contact to make sure they're happy and will stick with it. The last thing you want is for them to jump ship after a month and the recruitment process to start all over again.