Induction Checklist for Managers Members of staff new to SOAS will need guidance, support and information in order to establish themselves quickly as an effective member of the School community. The head of department (academic department or support services) is responsible for inducting new members of staff locally, but much of this process may be delegated to the starter’s line manger. The delegated person should be clearly identified and will be responsible for planning and leading the local induction. The contents and extent of the programme will depend on the post and may vary. The checklist below is designed to suggest general action points. There is a separate induction checklist for the new staff member. All new staff should also attend the central new staff orientation programme run by the Staff Learning and Development office. Details of upcoming dates can be found on the Staff Leanring and Development web pages. Name of new member of staff …………………………………………….…… Job title ………………………………………. Start date……………………. Person responsible for the local induction ………………………………… Staff Learning and Development Office SOAS, University of London, Room 472 E-mail – staffdevelopment@soas.ac.uk 1 Manager’s Induction Checklist Done [] Activity / Task Notes Before Arrival Consult with HR before the letter is sent. Find out from HR about time of arrival on the first day, who to report to etc. Confirm date of next Orientation Programme Inform staff member on arrival date of Orientation and encourage them to register Ensure all basic equipment / furniture is in place to enable staff member to perform duties (Estates) Includes: stationery, office key, phone, name plate on door (if necessary), diary Identify and prepare any special needs equipment and/or access etc. Configure computer and set up email address and password. Obtain password for other applications / access to relevant drives / load other programmes All staff email to include job title, role, date of commencement, name, area of responsibility and/or a more specific email to relevant Department(s) Inform post room, Allocate specific time in your diary for this Ensure workstation is ready (IT dept) Inform relevant staff / other Departments about the new staff member Draft induction plan for the first day / week Arrange meetings with key relevant staff Prepare pack of relevant information to read / review Appoint someone in the Department to be a mentor for the initial period of employment e.g. Dean, Head of Department / Service Area,, Faculty Administrator etc – make appointments as necessary Include prospectus, academic staff handbook, Departmental handbook(s), copy of job description, list of staff in the Faculty / Department, email addresses / internal phonebook etc, roles and duties of other team members, calendar of events, list of key post holders Make sure that the mentor has freed up some time for this purpose and is aware of their role. Staff Learning and Development Office SOAS, University of London, Room 472 E-mail – staffdevelopment@soas.ac.uk 2 Done [] Activity / Task Notes First day / week Be there to greet the new member of staff when they arrive. Accompany member of staff to obtain staff id card Check relevant HR forms have been completed; attend HR First day meeting Demonstrate use of phone and voicemail Introduce staff member to colleagues Introduce mentor Introduction / tour of the building Location of equipment SOAS Web site Discussion of the terms of employment Discussion of duties / job description (included in probation documentation) Take letter of employment to library membership desk to get ID card Ask them also to contact the Payroll and Pensions manager for advice on superannuation issues. Include: picking up other phones (if on relay), standard greeting when answering, dialling internally and externally, calling the operator Inform them of their own / colleagues extension numbers Should also include colleagues in other Departments An initial meeting could be arranged separately with the new employee and mentor Location of other Departments, canteen, toilets, SCR, library, notice boards, student shop etc. Include fax, copier etc. Demonstrate how to use equipment and any passwords / code locks needed. IT systems – internet, intranet, use of computers and email – policy Location of stationery supplies – how to order it. Post – sending internal and external mail Show how to navigate round the site and look for key information; locate own web section/ department pages Agree hours (start/finish times – bearing in mind other team members). Tea/lunch breaks. Annual leave/study leave. Procedures for reporting absences, sickness, when a medical note is required. Ensure that new staff member knows what is expected of them – discuss expectations and standards, goals and objectives. Set context within Dept/Faculty and within overall mission of SOAS. An awareness of how their role relates to the overall aims of the Dept/School. Staff Learning and Development Office SOAS, University of London, Room 472 E-mail – staffdevelopment@soas.ac.uk 3 Discussion of the probationary procedure and staff development review Allow time for reading of induction pack Discussion of health and safety issues Equal opportunities First tasks Meetings with key staff members (organised prior to arrival) Governance Allow time towards the end of the week for an informal ‘progress discussion’ A brief discussion of the annual cycle of events & what happens at various points throughout the year. Upcoming events and tasks. Diarise probationary review dates and initial weekly meetings to discuss progress; Outline immediate training / development needs and future staff development opportunities Could include; prospectus, Dept/Faculty handbooks, guidance for academic staff, policies and procedures Health and safety policy. Fire drills / location of emergency exits / extinguishers, nearest first aider. Provide a copy of the equality and diversity statement http://www.soas.ac.uk/equalitydiversity/statement/ Assign and explain first tasks, indicating where information and help can be obtained These meetings can help the inductee understand the wider context in which they work and provide network opportunities. Discuss Department management & meetings / School committees How is it going? First Month and Beyond Schedule regular meetings to discuss progress and clarify objectives (part of probation process) Review duties / responsibilities to ensure that they are still appropriate. Other Departments and their relationships to the area of work. Work is assessed and discussed - review progress and provide constructive feedback. These meetings will feed into the probationary review procedure and future staff development reviews. Check whether the inductee has any specific request regarding their job. Discuss as necessary. Staff Learning and Development Office SOAS, University of London, Room 472 E-mail – staffdevelopment@soas.ac.uk 4