Welcoming
I am welcomed, therefore, I belong! Onboarding includes welcoming your new employee. An employee’s first weeks on the job are a critical time to begin building successful working relationships. This helps give them the best possibility of integrating successfully in your department. Preparing for a new hire's start date is the first step. It may be helpful to complete an agenda for the employee's first week on the job. Make sure that the first days schedule includes a tour and is introductions to colleagues, including key staff so he or she can ask questions about benefits, policies, and compensation. Remember to build opportunities for feedback into the onboarding process.
Overview
Show your new employees “The Ropes” - Often we see the new hire orientation process as a daunting task and become overwhelmed by the paperwork demands and neglect the fundamentals of the orientation process. A better approach is to put the focus on welcoming and integrating new hires and on laying the groundwork for improved performance and retention.
- Be sure your new employee completes the New Employee Orientation E-course and registers to attend the in-person Employee Benefits Orientation
- Address whatever questions arise from orientation
- Consider any other orientation program that is specific to your new employee’s position
- Set up a brief meeting with the employee and buddy to talk about the first week’s activities
- Introduce the university and campus missions and values
- Review department and division organizational charts. Discuss how they relate to the overall campus structure.
- Describe the work environment and culture of your department
(e.g., teams, working alone, supervising others)
- Discuss the campus Principles of Community
- Mention the Diversity Calendar published by Student Housing
- Review the schedule of staff meetings or other standing activities
Work Environment & Computer Access
Make sure your new employee’s work area is set up before the first day. First impressions count, so providing your new employee with a work area that is in “move-in” condition matters. You may want to include a welcome packet of information about your department, UC Davis and the local area.
- Determine designated space (e.g., locker, workbench, cubicle, office)
- Organize and clean designated space
- Make arrangements for furniture (e.g., chair, stool, desk, file cabinet)
- Order name plate
- Make sure supplies and equipment are available
- Arrange for keys or other means of access to the designated space (e.g., building, lab, office, locker room)
- Arrange for computer access and accounts (e.g., hardware, software applications, e-mail, network connectivity, shared folders, online time reporting system)
- Add new employee’s name and contact information to shared directories, distribution lists and e-mail/calendaring systems
- Set up telephone services (e.g., equipment, features, voicemail)
- Arrange for mobile devices (e.g., cell phone, pager, radio)
- Order name badge
- Order business cards
- Address clothing and equipment requirements
- Personal protective equipment and protective work clothing
- Uniforms
- Label mailbox
- Update phone lists, department directories, organizational charts
- Provide copies for new employee
- Preparations that are nice to do (e.g., Provide a sign welcoming your new employee to the team. Bring flowers or a plant to make the work area more inviting.)
ANR Structure / Campus / UC System Map
Understanding the UC System & ANR helps new employees see how their roles fit into the larger organization and contribute to its success. Communicate the missions and visions of UC, UC Davis and your department. Provide organizational charts and links to our websites:
ANR: Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources
UC Campuses: The University of California, ANR is one of ten UC Campuses.
Links
Near Relative Permission Request
Workers Compensation Facts Sheet