Manager's Checklist for New Employees

Checklist for New Employees

As the whole world begins to start turning the corner on an arduous year and a half, there are a lot of things to look forward to. From large festivals and family gatherings to simple movie nights or going to the gym; even the most commonplace events can be exciting.

One of these exhilarating new routines can be hiring new employees and start your company on the path to the new normal. News reports show that unemployment rates are dropping steadily and new employee hires are on the rise; which means that you, as a manager, better be ready!

With a ton of positions to fill and hopeful candidates emailing in their resumes, HR directors and hiring managers have a full schedule on their hands. Make sure you're ready for the next wave of success for your company with the manager's checklist for new employees! One of the most sure-fire ways to connect with new employees and create lasting professional relationships is to start their new experience off strong.

Below you'll find a run-down of new hire onboarding, a breakdown of what new employees want from orientation, and paperwork for new hires.

Custom T-Shirts to Welcome New Employees

At Merchology, we believe that the real purpose of merch is to connect with people. Custom printed tees or sweatshirts with your logo are the perfect way to bring your team together. Not only do we have the custom T-shirts and merch you need for your new employees, but we also have a new custom tee printing method that allows for even faster, lower-cost, more detailed, more durable designs! Check out direct apparel printing for your new employee tees!

 

 

New Hires 2024

Still slowly coming back from the strangest few years of all of our lives now feels like the perfect time to go for the job you want, rather than just the one you have. That being said, the new hires of 2024 are eager and ready to get started on the career path that they want. With this shift in mind, now is the time for managers to get their orientation and onboarding checklist for new employees ready to roll!

According to a study from Forbes Magazine, there are 5 things new employees want from their workplace:

• A company with a clear mission - As people are transitioning to a new job or moving back into the work world in general, knowing the true mission behind a company is important to new employees.
• A collaborative and innovative culture - New employees, especially those within the Millennial age group, seek to work at companies value the opinions and growth of everyone in the company. 
• Management committed to employee success - New hires require businesses to consistently put in the effort to help them achieve a higher level of success, rather than be left to fend for themselves.
• Flexible work schedule and/or remote work opportunities - After learning just how efficiently work can be done at home, new employees now search for jobs with more leeway within their schedules and location demands. Learn more about how employees have made the most of their time out of the office with these 10 tips!
• Healthy work-life balance - The days of working ourselves to the bone have gone and passed. These days new hires are searching for jobs with benefits that positively impact their lives outside of work.

Step-by-Step Checklist for New Employees

New Employees - First Week

• Show new hires to their workspace. Once your new employee has set down their jackets or bags, give a general overall tour of the organization's layout. Be sure to note: restrooms, kitchens, exits, and meeting rooms.
• Grab a meeting room and discuss the office code of conduct. This is a wonderful time to review safety, security, and health policies especially.
• Provide your new hire an employee handbook for them to look through and refer to as needed. It's recommended to provide both a physical copy and a virtual version such as a PDF.
• Confirm that the new employee has met with the Human Resources manager and completed all necessary paperwork for employment. This includes tax forms, health insurance paperwork, employment contract, etc.
• Help, or schedule time with a member of the IT Department to help, set up any new computers, phone systems, or equipment that may be needed for the job.
• Let your new employee spend the first day getting settled and researching your company's history, website, and industry.
• Schedule introduction meetings between your new hires and other members of your specific department. During these meetings recommend that they share their working history, or personal details if they wish, as well as the roles they fulfill within the business. Once they've met everyone within their own department, set up quick introductions between a few directors or members of the executive board.

 

New Employees - First Month

• Give your new employee some initial assignments or job shadowing tasks to help them ease into their new role. Even if they have had extensive experience, allow new hires time to learn more about your specific business model or industry.
• Check that all equipment given to the new hire is working properly and that any troubleshooting that is needed, is completed.
• Walk through any software systems, social communities, or other programs that may be new to the employee. Also, be sure to provide functioning log-in information and permissions.
• Be sure to check in and touch base with your new hire every other day or so to ensure that everything is comfortable and that they're settling in fine.
• Have a 30-day performance evaluation to discuss honestly the feelings going forward from both points of view. Discuss any problematic areas, as well as opportunities and areas of focus for the future.

New Employees - First 3 Months

• Plan a three-month performance review meeting to go over past assignments and discuss future goals. This is a great time to set a new track forward if there were miscommunications earlier.
• Give, and more importantly, ask for feedback from the past 3 months. Let your new employee know what they're excelling at as well as any areas they may want to focus on in the coming months. At this time, also ask what they like and struggle with within their new position.
• Plan out your first large-scale projects with your new hire. Discuss what outcomes you're looking for, how this should be reported upon, and how you can help if needed.
• Discuss and set up goals for the role for the next month, three months, and year. This will give you both clarity on what to expect for the coming months and set you both upon a solid foundation.

 

New Employees - First 6 Months

• Schedule a 6-month performance review to go over past work, discuss goals, and check in on any issues in the work relationship or agenda.
• Set a timeline for projects and objectives for the remainder of the year. Write the dates and goals together on a markerboard or in a computer presentation to ensure that both parties are on the same page. Then write this down in an email or shared document for easy future reference.  
• Inquire about any extra training that your new employee would like to receive. 
• Take the time to ask if your new hire is interested in any other positions or directions within the department. If so, set up a time for the new employee to shadow or meet with someone in that role for increased engagement with the company. 

New Employees - First Year

Wow, a year flies by! Your new employee is not so new anymore. Now's the time to focus on employee growth and retention.

• Schedule an annual performance review with your now-seasoned employee! Allow for feedback to work both ways between management and the colleague.
• Recognize your employee's hard work over the past year and celebrate wins both big and small! Now is also a good time to discuss any issues or hiccups that may have occurred for a smoother upcoming year.
• Discuss the employee's path forward within the company, focusing upon the areas that they wish to grow in and the tasks that they enjoy completing.
• Review the company's compensation and vacation policies going forward.

Give a Welcome Box with Merchology!

 

After reading through the manager's checklist for new employees, now is the time to prep your office for some new employees! Start by clearing off all desks and giving them a thorough scrub with an antibacterial wipe to begin on a clean slate. 

With desks open and new tech waiting for them, think about preparing a welcome kit for new employees! Most companies will provide a welcome box for all new hires with some basic office supplies, fun branded merch, and often something sweet like candy or cookies.

Browse through Merchology's Gifts Page to find some of the most popular new employee welcome gifts that businesses love to offer their crew. Or check out some recommended welcome kit ideas featuring some of the most popular gifts for new employees here in the Top 10 New Hire Gifts Guide.

 

Contact Us

Ready to start getting welcome gifts prepped for your new team members? Give us a call! Merchologists are ready and waiting to help you find the perfect welcome kit ideas for your company's new hires!