As a supervisor, you have the most in-depth knowledge of the requirements of a new hire, and the dynamics of the team they’re joining. To set your new employee up for success, you need to make sure they have the necessary tools and information from the get-go.
Introduce your employee
Send an email to your department and those who will regularly work with your new hire announcing their start date, so everyone is aware and ready to welcome the newest team member. Include:
- The name of the person hired.
- The job title of the new hire.
- Provide where they are coming from and what experience they bring.
- For employees who are transferring or being promoted into their new role, their prior job title at the university or state.
Communicate first-day details with new hires
Before your new hires start, it’s a good idea to send them an email to warmly welcome them to your team and share important details about their upcoming first day. Your email may include some or all of the following:
- Start date, time and location (include parking or bus info if needed)
- Phone number and email address of their key point of contact
- A list of documents they should bring
- A schedule of events and activities they can expect on their first day
Try to keep this email short, sweet and to the point. You don’t want to overwhelm new hires before they start. You are welcome to use copy/paste and customize this Welcome Email template.
Provide a new hire packet
A new hire packet can be invaluable for new employees. It can be a folder, binder or envelope with anything and everything you believe will help them get familiar with your company and their role. Here are some suggestions of things to include:
- Welcome letter
- Employee handbook
- Organizational charts
- Compensation and benefits information
- Training materials
- Department/Unit directory
With a new hire packet, you’ll be able to streamline the onboarding process and answer common new employee questions right off the bat. You can contact HR (hroffice@unl.edu) to request one that will include basic information so you can then customize and add your department-specific information.
Set up hardware and software access
University Owned Property/Equipment (see SAP Objects on Loan)
- Building and door access or Keys
- Other Keys (i.e. desk, file cabinet, elevator, etc.)
- Computer/Office Equipment
- University-issued job apparel and accessories
- Laboratory Equipment (I.e., radiation badge/ring)
Security/Access
- Voice Mail
- Signature authority
- SAP Security Access
- SAP/PeopleSoft/Talisma/NUView
- MYNULOOK Security Access
- UNL Foundation Security Access
- Electronic Building/Door Entry Access
University-Issued Credit
- UNL PCard (training)
- American Express Credit Card
- Fuel Card
Academic and Learning Services
- Canvas (Learning Management System)
- MyRed (Student Information Portal).
- PI Regulatory Onboarding Checklist from the Office of Research and Economic Development (ORED).
Create a mandatory/required training checklist
All new employees are required to complete the New Employee Essentials learning journey which contains:
- UNL Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response Training (due within 31 days of your hire date)
- NU Annual Information Security Fundamentals (due within 21 days of your hire date)
- UNL Safety & Emergency Preparedness
- UNL Core-Injury and Illness Prevention Plan
- Firefly's ESS
Identify additional required e-learning(s) modules in Bridge related to their role.
- Search Committee Process
- NU Fundamentals of FERPA
- P2P Procure to Pay