The First Week: Getting Off To A Good Start

Set your new employee up for success from the start. To ease anxiety on the first day, create a comfortable environment and have a plan to get your new employee involved, while remembering not to overwhelm them. Make sure your conversations are two-way. Not only is this your opportunity to give information, it is your new employee’s chance to share beyond what was discussed pre-arrival. At the end of the day, your new employee should know the basic operations of the department and leave feeling that they have joined the right team.

The rest of the week will build upon the foundation laid on the first day. It is important to remain available and approachable. Make sure two-way communication continues to be a priority. Focus on how the specific duties and responsibilities of your new employee’s job support departmental and university missions. Start the review of policies and procedures with the most important and relevant ones, adding as your new employee learns related processes. Be sure to schedule time at the end of the first week for a summary check-in with your new employee.

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