Onboarding Checklist for HR and Management

1. Stay in touch with the new colleague from the job interview through to their first day on the job. Set aside time to answer questions and send small gestures of appreciation. This immediately boosts their enthusiasm for the job.
2. In addition to online onboarding, make sure to prioritize personal attention. Introduce the team in a photo directory, but also assign a buddy on the job. Furthermore, ensure there are plenty of opportunities for feedback, Q&A sessions, and one-on-one meetings.
3. Develop a step-by-step plan with tasks and goals that the employee must meet after 3, 6, and 9 months. Make sure they are challenging but also achievable. This will help build trust and a sense of responsibility. Also, make sure the goals are SMART for feedback and performance reviews.

It looks very unprofessional if your new employee doesn't receive an access card on their first day of work or still has to request an email address. So be sure to give them a warm welcome.

HR and IT Responsibilities

1. Make sure the new employee has access to everything needed to perform the job. This includes computers, phones, software systems, cloud solutions, a locker, etc.
2. Write down the tasks and goals. Preferably in the form of a scannable to-do list.

Manager's Responsibilities

1. Introduce the new colleague (digitally) and schedule a team meeting for their first day on the job.
2. Send an email to the new employee to let them know a few things in advance. For example, that you’ll go grocery shopping together for lunch so they don’t need to bring a sandwich.

The first day should feel like coming home. For months or weeks, your new hire has been looking forward to this moment when he would officially become an employee. So make it a fun experience.

HR Responsibilities

1. Create a welcoming workspace that reflects your company culture. You could include a card signed by all your coworkers, a bouquet of flowers, or a personalized mug.
2. Provide a welcome document or app that explains important company policies, such as safety guidelines, hygiene guidelines, or an introduction to your CRM.
3. Update all the documentation in your DMS. The signed contract, the lease agreement, a copy of the ID—it all goes in there.

Manager's Responsibilities

1. Show your new coworker around, but don't let them shake everyone's hand if there are more than 10 of you. That would be awkward.
2. Make sure you're available for a chat or to answer questions.
3. Pair the new employee with his or her buddy.
4. Schedule a meeting to make the coming months SMART. While you’re at it, go over the to-do list for the upcoming period. Be transparent about the weight of this evaluation. Could someone be let go if they don’t fully meet the criteria, or is it intended more to highlight strengths and weaknesses?

After hiring, the first few months are crucial for ensuring that an employee remains enthusiastic about working for your company over the long term. Set them up for success.

HR Responsibilities

1. Schedule a meeting during the first month and ask for feedback on the onboarding process.
2. Register the new employee for relevant training courses offered in-house that are appropriate for the position.

Manager's Responsibilities

1. Schedule a meeting during the first month and ask for feedback on the role, responsibilities, challenges, and successes. Be a good listener and provide guidance when needed.
2. Discuss the to-do list for the first month and define the SMART goals.
3. Ask for input on how to improve the work process. You can learn a lot from this.