Things to prepare before your new employee’s first day
When you hire a new employee, ensuring that everything is ready for their first day will mean they have a great introduction to your workplace can get started quickly in their new job.
Here’s a list of things to consider when preparing for your new employee’s first day.
Payroll and tax
To save time and ensure your employee can get paid as soon as possible, you can get them to fill out forms with their bank account, tax file number, and superannuation information prior to starting.
Prepare an induction
An induction is about making sure your new employee understands workplace procedures and policies and easing them into their new role. Think about what your employee needs to know and who will be the one to show them around. Consider the things they need to know such as:
- Where toilets and other amenities are.
- Where to eat lunch, get a glass of water, and make a hot drink.
- A workplace health and safety induction, with information about the fire exits, evacuation plan, and how hazards and incidents are reported.
- How to clock in/out or fill in time sheets.
- Who they can go to for general or specialised help.
Prepare training
Depending on the role and how much information they need to learn, their training will vary. Think about whether you will have someone going through everything they need to know on the first day or whether they will have someone they can shadow over the first few weeks. Depending on your workplace and/or the role, you may also need to organise formal training modules or courses for them to complete.
Organise a buddy
Some organisations match all new starters with a ‘buddy’ to help them in those early days and weeks. If you don’t have a formal buddy system, consider asking an established employee to be their buddy. They can help your new employee understand ‘who’s who’ and show them where to find things.
Let people know
If you have a reception/front desk, let them know to expect a new employee. This can help them give a warm welcome and feel included, and give your new employee a great first impression.
Letting the wider team know there is a new member joining gives them a heads up and can help break the ice. You can send an email or announce it at a team meeting. It may be great for helping the new employee quickly get acquainted with the team.
Prepare their workspace
If you work in an office, it’s good to prepare a workspace for the new employee ahead of time. This could be their own desk and chair, a place they can put their belongings, and a set of stationery to start them off.
Prepare any equipment and requirements
Think about any equipment and requirements the new employee needs. This could be:
- Tools
- Uniform
- Email address and/or phone number
- Computer, phone, and/or other device
- Level of access to computer systems
- Access swipe cards or keys
- Vehicle
If they require a work laptop or vehicle to do their job, then you may need to start preparing these items well in advance so they can start doing their tasks as soon as possible.
Also consider whether your new employee has requirements related to accessibility. You may need to look into installing ramps at the entrance, accessible toilets, or even equipment like standing desks or armrests. If you have a new employee starting who has a disability, your business might be eligible for support in providing your employee with the equipment they need to perform their job. You can find out more about workplace modifications and how APM can assist here.
Provide information
Think about any information your new employee needs to know before they come in for their first day. This could be:
- What time to arrive
- Where they can park/nearby public transport options
- Where the front entrance is located and how to get in
- Where to report to and who to ask for
- The workplace dress code
- What they need to bring, such as completed forms or their own equipment