Onboarding New Employees
- 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.
- Send an Email to Your Department: announcing 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 applications with your new employee.
- Prepare Paperwork: Have all required employment and compliance documents ready for the employee to complete.
- IdentiKey: Please ensure new employees have claimed their IdentiKey. They need their employee ID to claim their IdentiKey.
- I-9: Completed section one of their I-9
- Schedule a time for 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.
7. 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.
8. Welcome 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.
9. Tour of Department/Building: If 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. Day One Meeting: Go over important university or department policies, such as dress code, working hours, and any specific rules or guidelines. This also includes communication guidelines like email, teams, chat, etc.
11. Complete 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. Buff 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.
13. Complete Paperwork in the My¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵInfo 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.
14. Provide a List of Trainings: Schedule 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.
- Training Template can be accessed here. Mandated Trainings are listed on the template. Make sure they take Access Based Trainings if needed for HCM, travel cards, and a procurement card.
15. Establish Expectations and Discuss Culture: Give the new employee an employee handbook that outlines university policies, procedures, and important information. If there isn't one, then refer to department guidelines and policies.
16. Assign an Onboarding Colleague: Pair the new employee with a mentor or buddy who can provide guidance and support during their initial weeks.
17. Discuss Performance Management: Sit down with the employee to discuss their job responsibilities, performance expectations, and long-term goals. Weekly one-on-ones should also take place. This also can be done within the first 30 days.
18. Feedback 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.
19. Training 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 hire and other stakeholders/colleagues; facilitate team-building activities.
20. Introduce Department & University Culture: Help the new employee(s) integrate into the department culture by introducing them to the university's values, mission, and vision.
21. Schedule Campus-wide Onboarding Programs: Have them register to take the ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ New Employee Tour (NewX) and Discover Series trainings.
22. Review Benefits and Perks: Ensure the employee is aware of and has access to, such as healthcare, retirement plans, and employee assistance programs. New employees have 31 days from their hire date to waive or enroll in benefits.
23. Set 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 toolkit can 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 ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ Boulder campus community. Have questions? Reach out to newatcu@colorado.edu
Onboarding Links
Onboarding Communications
New Employee is: University Staff / Classified Staff
Welcome to ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ Boulder Email Sent to New Employee
Onboarding Your New Employee Email Sent to Supervisors (External Hires)
(Internal Hires)
New Employee is: Research Faculty
Welcome to ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ Boulder Email Sent to Research Faculty
Confirmation Email Sent to Hiring Contact/HRL for Research Faculty
- Technology Help: oithelp@colorado.edu
- Onboarding: newatcu@colorado.edu
- Systems/My¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵinfo: 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