- Send a Welcome Email: Send a welcoming email to the new employee, providing details about their first day, time, location, and any necessary instructions. Here is a Welcome Email Template you can use.Ìý
- Send an Email to Your Department:Ìýannouncing the new hire's arrival, so everyone is aware and ready to welcome the newest team member. Recent updates to the Colorado Equal Work for Equal Pay Act require that you send this message within 30 days of your new hire’s start date (we recommend sending it earlier). The following information is required by the Act to be included in your communication (contact recruiting@colorado.edu if you have any questions about this requirement and the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act).
- The name of the person hired.
- The job title of the new hire.
- For employees who are transferring or being promoted into their new role, their prior job title at the University of Colorado.
- A reference to our promotions and transfers webpage outlining how employees may express interest in transfer and promotional opportunities.
- Prepare the Workspace: Ensure that the employee's workspace, including their desk (if working on-campus), computer, phone, and any necessary tools or equipment, are set up and ready.
- Arrange their technology and IT services: Ensure your new employee is knowledgeable on how to set up their , , , and . If there are other programs you use, please include those. Set up a time to review all applicationsÌýwith your new employee.Ìý
- Prepare Paperwork: Have all required employment and compliance documents ready for the employee to complete.
- IdentiKey:ÌýPlease ensure new employees have claimed their IdentiKey. They need their employee ID to claim their IdentiKey.
- I-9:ÌýCompleted section one of their I-9Ìý
- Schedule a timeÌýfor them to participate in QuickStart, an onboarding session facilitated by human resources. New employees need to do it within the first two weeks of their hire date.
Ìý7.Ìý Set Up Technology: Help the employee set up their computer, email, and access to any necessary software or systems. Direct them to oithelp@colorado.edu orfor assistance.Ìý
Ìý8.ÌýWelcome and Introduction: Greet the employees and introduce them to their team members and colleagues. This can be done in-person, over Zoom, or Microsoft Teams.Ìý
Ìý9. Tour of Department/Building:ÌýIf the new employee is in person, provide a tour of the office or workplace, including restrooms, break areas, and any other relevant areas. Great time to have a team lunch!
10.ÌýDay One Meeting: Go over important university or departmentÌýpolicies, such as dress code, working hours, and any specific rules or guidelines. This also includes communicationÌýguidelines like email,Ìýteams, chat, etc.
11.ÌýComplete section 2 of the I-9. Ensure employees know and understand how to complete section 2 of their I-9, as they have three days to complete it from their hire date.
12.ÌýBuff One Card: Ensure new employees send for their Buff One Card. If the employee is on campus, take them to the Buff One Card office to pick up their card.Ìý
13.ÌýComplete Paperwork in the MyCUInfo Portal: Assist the employee in completing all necessary employment forms, including tax forms, benefit enrollment, and confidentiality agreements. Ensure they know how to fill out the time tracking system specific to their role for payroll. Review how to set up their preferences with them.Ìý
14.ÌýProvide a List of Trainings:ÌýSchedule training sessions and onboarding meetings to help the employee(s) learn about their role, the company culture, and the tools they'll be using. Here is a list of mandatory and access-based trainings.Ìý
- Training Template can be accessed here. Mandated Trainings are listed on the template.ÌýMake sure they take Access Based Trainings if needed for HCM, travel cards, and a procurement card.
15.ÌýEstablish Expectations and Discuss Culture: Give the new employee an employee handbook that outlines universityÌýpolicies, procedures, and important information. If there isn't one, then refer to department guidelines and policies.Ìý
16.ÌýAssign an Onboarding Colleague: Pair the new employee with a mentor or buddy who can provide guidance and support during their initial weeks.
17.ÌýDiscuss Performance Management:ÌýSit down with the employee to discuss their job responsibilities, performance expectations, and long-term goals. Weekly one-on-ones should also take place.ÌýThis also can be done within the first 30 days.
18.ÌýFeedback and Check-Ins: Schedule regular check-in meetings to provide feedback and address any questions or concerns the employee may have. Reinforce expectations, norms, and review role and responsibilities.ÌýÌý Ìý
19.ÌýTraining Plan & Continue Department Trainings: Develop a training plan that outlines the learning objectives and milestones for the employee's first 30 days. Schedule meetings between the new hireÌýand other stakeholders/colleagues; facilitate team-building activities.ÌýÌý
20. Introduce Department & UniversityÌýCulture: Help the new employee(s) integrate into the departmentÌýculture by introducing them to the university's values, mission, and vision.
21.ÌýSchedule Campus-wide Onboarding Programs: Have them register to take the CUÌýNew Employee Tour (NewX)ÌýandÌýDiscover Series trainings.
22.ÌýReview Benefits and Perks: Ensure the employee is aware of and has access to, such as healthcare, retirement plans, and employee assistance programs. New employees haveÌý 31 days from their hire date to waive or enroll in benefits.Ìý
23.ÌýSet Goals for the First Six Months: Collaborate with the employee to set performance and development goals for their first six months. See the performance management page for assistance. Be sure to set up monthly one-on-ones to go over their role, goals, and performance expectations.
Remember the onboarding process should be ongoing, and the toolkitÌýcan be extended to cover the employee's first year or more. The key is providing support and resources to help the new employee become a productive and engaged team member of your department and the ²ÊÃñ±¦µä campus community. Have questions? Reach out to newatcu@colorado.edu
Onboarding Links
- Supervisor Onboarding Toolkit: Hybrid/In-person
- Supervisor Onboarding Toolkit: Remote
- New Employee Toolkit
- New Employee Webpage
- Welcome Email to New Employee Template
- New Employee Onboarding Schedule
- Virtual QuickStart Dates & Times
- Temporary Employee Onboarding Toolkit
- Training Template for New EmployeeÌý
- QuickStart Change (Jan 2024)
Onboarding Communications
New Employee is: University Staff / Classified Staff
Welcome to ²ÊÃñ±¦µä Email Sent to New Employee
Onboarding Your New Employee Email Sent to SupervisorsÌý(External Hires)
(Internal Hires)
New Employee is: Research Faculty
Welcome to ²ÊÃñ±¦µäÌýEmail Sent to Research FacultyÌý
Confirmation Email Sent to Hiring Contact/HRL for Research Faculty
- TechnologyÌýHelp:Ìýoithelp@colorado.edu
- Onboarding: newatcu@colorado.edu
- Systems/MyCUinfo: hrsc@colorado.edu
- Benefits: benefits@cu.edu 303.860.4200, option 3
- Buff OneCard Office: boc@coloado.edu
- Payroll: payroll@cu.edu or 303.860.4200, option 2