Human Resources

Employee onboarding checklist

Employee onboarding is a big task, and it can be easy to forget a few steps in the process.

Read our employee onboarding process guide to ensure that you are ready to welcome any new hire, and prepare yourself with an onboarding checklist.

Not only will a checklist ensure a smooth onboarding process, but your new hire will also have a great first impression of your organization.

Discover:


New employee onboarding checklist

Streamline your onboarding process by including the following in your checklist:

1. The welcome email checklist

Welcome email onboarding checklist preview

Download a printable template PDF / PNG / Excel.

This is the first official message that your new hire will get, except for the contract signing of course. The email should create a positive impression and set the new hire up for success from day one.

  • Warmly welcome them to the team.
  • Include the starting date, time and location.
  • Provide the phone number and email of their contact person.
  • Provide a list of the documents they should bring.
  • Include schedule breakdown of their first day.
  • Explain the dress code, if there is one.
  • Attach your company informational documents.

2. Pre-onboarding checklist

Employee pre-onboarding checklist preview

Download a printable template PDF / PNG / Excel.

This step is crucial! You don’t want your new hire to feel like you are not prepared for them. Follow this carefully and you won’t miss a thing.

  • Send out a company-wide email announcing the new hire, with their name and position.
  • Announce their start date, and which office they will be working from.
  • If possible, inform coworkers of the time and place for a meet-and-greet.
  • Make sure that the head of their department is prepared for the new arrival.
  • Define where the new employee’s workstation will be.
  • Order all necessary equipment.
  • Create their accounts in the HR system.
  • Create accounts, email, and other needed accounts for the new employee (prepare a full list of all services).
  • Order security cards and keys.
  • Prepare a welcome package and place it on the workstation if possible.
  • Prepare HR related documents.

3. First day checklist

The first day employee onboarding checklist preview

Download a printable template PDF / PNG / Excel.

Set out everything that should be done during the first day.

  • Be sure to greet the new employee at the door.
  • Introduce the new employee to their colleagues and department.
  • Show the new employee their workstation.
  • Organize a work tour. Hit the essentials: entrances, restrooms, kitchen, common room.
  • Introduce the new employee’s onboarding buddy.
  • Ensure that they can log in to their station and all equipment is working properly.
  • Provide access to the learning environment, if you have one.
  • Provide all essential information, including guides, and rules.
  • Check that all credentials and accesses work.
  • Arrange a meeting with an employee supervisor.
  • Set up a welcome lunch with the new employee and their team.
  • If possible, have a one-to-one meeting at the end of the day.

4. First week checklist

The first week employee onboarding checklist preview

Download a printable template PDF / PNG / Excel.

Because this is the essential period of adaptation, it is really important to help the new employee and not overwhelm them.

  • Organize a welcome coffee if possible.
  • Provide access and inform them where to find company policies.
  • Check that the employee has had meetings with the department head, and all key people to their role.
  • Check short term goals have been set.
  • Check that all equipment and software needs are met.
  • Instruct the new employee about security and fire measures.
  • Plan additional training if needed.
  • Organize and invite the new employee to participate in team-building activities.
  • Set a one-to-one meeting at the end of the week.
  • Add a new employee to the birthdays’ list to not miss it.

5. First month checklist

The first month employee onboarding checklist preview

Download a printable template PDF / PNG / Excel.

During the first month, you should be reviewing how the employee performs and check their feelings about their new job. Find problems and solve them.

  • Create and send a first month onboarding survey.
  • Set a meeting with the department head about the employee’s progress.
  • Set a one-to-one meeting with the employee at the end of the month.
  • Check the employee’s feelings about the job.
  • Invite the new employee to participate in activities for team members.
  • Plan and schedule a three month and six month survey for the employee.

Onboarding checklist templates

4 Onboarding checklist template for Google Sheets and Excel:

1. Template with dropdown selector for several employees

Download template Google Sheets / Excel (.xlsx).

Onboarding checklist Excel template with dropdown selector

2. Template with checkboxes for several employees

Download template Google Sheets / Excel (.xlsx).

Onboarding checklist Excel template with checkboxes

3. Template for a single employee – dropdown selector

Download template Google Sheets / Excel (.xlsx).

Onboarding checklist Excel template with dropdown selector for a single person

4. Template for a single employee – checkboxes

Download template Google Sheets / Excel (.xlsx).

Onboarding checklist Excel template with checkboxes for a single person


Trello templates to use

  1. New Employee Onboarding template by Valamis – check template
  2. Onboarding Process For New Hires by InVision – check template
  3. Government Onboarding Process For New Hires – check template

FAQ about onboarding checklist

What is an onboarding checklist?

An onboarding checklist organizes the steps to prepare for a new employee starting in an organisation for managers and HR. The onboarding checklist helps to ensure all necessary preparation steps are taken while guiding new employees through their first days as part of a new team.

How long should an onboarding checklist be?

An onboarding checklist will vary in length depending on the role and the company hiring process, but it should cover everything from orientation to getting the new employee adjusted in their new role.

How to create an onboarding checklist?

Makes notes of the most important aspects of your onboarding process, from recruitment to acclimating the new employee to their new team.

Include specific details about pre-onboarding a new employee, what equipment they will need, what their first day will look like, how to introduce them to their team and the company, and how to set them up for success in their new role.

List out each process for these different stages in a timeline order format to create your own checklist.

What to include on an onboarding checklist?

The onboarding checklist should include the recruitment process, new employee orientation, introduction of all aspects of the role to the employee, job training, goal-setting, introduction to company culture, meeting other employees and a serve as a guide to help the new hire get adjusted quickly and become a productive member of their team.

Onboarding Checklist Template

The template will help you ensure a smooth onboarding process and make a great first impression of your organization for the new hire.

Inside you will find a printable PDF template and 4 templates for Google Sheets and Excel.

Author

Ivan Andreev

Demand Generation & Capture Strategist

Ivan Andreev is a dedicated marketing professional with a proven track record of driving growth and efficiency in various marketing domains, especially SEO. With a career spanning over a decade, Ivan has developed a deep understanding of marketing strategies, project management, data analysis, and team leadership. His strong commitment to knowledge sharing, passion for process optimization, and turning challenges into opportunities have solidified his reputation as a pivotal player in the marketing team.