What are the contents of an effective orientation program?

CHECKLIST: Compliance and consideration points for the first day of work

The first day of work can be much more than a flurry of papers to sign. Organize the compliance demands the organization must fulfill with consideration of the new employee's needs:

• Show the new employee his or her personnel file and separate medical file. Discuss the reason why there are two files and stress the confidentiality of information.

• Have new employees complete I-9 and W-4 along with benefit enrollments. Discuss each program and its purpose.

• Give the employee a copy of his or her job description and employee handbook. Place special emphasis on specific policies; for example drug-free policies, nondiscrimination policies, job accommodation and diversity.

• Get emergency contact information from the employee and provide the employee emergency contact information for the organization. Consider having printed a wallet-size card with emergency call-in information and procedures.

• Carefully explain the organization's pay practices and make sure each employee knows whom to contact if there is a problem.

• Explain to the employee any external reporting, such as new hire data to centralized data banks.

• Give a tour of the facility. Be sure to identify restrooms, places to eat (cafeteria and vending machines), meeting rooms, emergency exits and first aid kits, lounges and any other employee facilities. Use the time on the tour to discuss the purpose of each department and the overall organization.

• Be sure the new employee is introduced to everyone that the employee will be working with. Arrange for several employees to invite the new employee to eat lunch with them. Check back with the employee at the end of the work day. Show the employee where supplies are kept and how to set up the work station.

• Ask for feedback from the new employee. Incorporate suggestions to make the process better.

The organization has one chance-the first day of work-to make a good first impression on the new employee. As a general rule, put yourself in the place of a new employee and try to anticipate what your needs would be and what would make you feel welcome in that circumstance.