51+ Sample Orientation Checklists

What Is a Orientation Checklist?

If you can on-board your employees effectively, you can better your employee retention by 82% (source: glassdoor). As one of the activities included in your onboarding processes, your new hire orientation should be prioritized. A great tool that you can use for a successful employee orientation is a new hire orientation checklist. An orientation checklist for new hires is an organizational tool that is used by businesses to ensure that the new members of the company’s workforce can be given an effective, informative, systematic, and complete orientation.

Purpose of Using a Detailed Orientation Checklist

Before you create a new hire orientation checklist, you first have to make sure that you are aware of the document’s usages. Knowing how you can maximize the availability of the new hire orientation checklist can help you to become more practical and realistic when identifying all the information that you should put together. Here are some of the reasons why it is highly suggested for you to use a detailed new hire checklist:

1. To Guide the Human Resources and the Employees With the Entirety of the New Hire Orientation Program

There are a lot of processes and activities that happen in a corporate setting. Sometimes, it can get too overwhelming especially if scheduled activities overlap. Using a new hire orientation checklist can give the human resource department the time that they need to prepare all the items that need to be on-hand and readily available even before the actual date of the orientation. Being well-guided with the help of a particular checklist can then make it easier for the HR team to polish the entire new hire orientation program. This can be very beneficial to the new employees who will participate in the orientation.

2. To Identify the Activities That Should Be Prioritized During the Orientation

Your new hire orientation checklist can give you the ability to look into all the minute details of the orientation. During the orientation’s execution,  the list of activities and programs listed in the document can help you to know the items that you have already done as well as those that you still need to fulfill before the orientation ends. With the presence of a new hire orientation checklist, all involved stakeholders can focus on all the areas of the orientation.

3. To Make the Orientation More Successful

Not all orientations for new employees are successful. It is essential for a company to use organization tools that can help them effectively execute the orientation. A new hire orientation checklist can higher the chances of the orientation to be successful as it deals with all the elements and variables that can add up to the completion of all orientation activities.

Factors to Consider When Crafting a Highly-Usable New Hire Orientation Checklist

When making a checklist for new employee orientation, you have to keenly look at the things that can impact the effectiveness of the document. Study all the parts of the new hire orientation checklist so you can develop quality measures that can result to the appropriate and proper development of the document’s content, discussion flow, and format. Here are some of the factors that you have to consider once you decide to craft the new hire orientation checklist that your organization will utilize:

The systematic presentation of all new hire orientation checklist details: You need to look for a tactic or an Execution strategy that can make your new hire orientation checklist look as polished as possible. You need to have a systematic orientation checklist discussion so that your target audience can relate to what you would like them to do.The completion of all instructions and key points of the new hire orientation checklist: Guide your new employees accordingly. The new hire orientation checklist that you will create should have all the directions that your new hires must follow. Aside from this, you also have to let your new employees know all of the points of the orientation that they should always remember. Since a copy of the new hire orientation checklist will be given to the employees, they can use your instructions and reminders to take note of their main take away from the orientation.The clarity of the activities that your new hires should fulfill and/or execute: Sometimes, new employees fail to attend some of the activities for the orientation. Though this may be due to the negligence on the part of the employees, there are times where the organization is at fault. As an example, if the schedule of the orientation is not clearly specified, it will be hard for the new hires to know the time frames of each activities. This can then result to over-breaks, confusion on orientation flow, and misunderstanding the checklist’s specifications.The availability of all the resources that you need so you can execute the new hire orientation effectively: You always have to be mindful when making your new hire orientation checklist. Be realistic and ever updated of your resources so you can incorporate these in the program that you will make for the orientation. You can use a separate checklist that can help you cross check the availability of the items, equipment, and materials that are needed for each part of the orientation.

8 Steps for Making a Comprehensive Orientation Checklist

The proper development of a new hire orientation checklist can result to an output that you can truly use and optimize. Hence, you have to know the steps that you should take so you can achieve the successful development of a quality new hire orientation checklist. To help you with this matter, below is an eight-step process guide that can enable you to make a comprehensive new hire orientation checklist with ease.

Step 1: Download a Printable and Editable Orientation Checklist Template

A new hire orientation checklist template can let you format the content of the specific document in the best manner. Make sure to mindfully and tactically select the template that you will use so you can have a pre-formatted guide that is suitable for the layout and content presentation requirements of your new hire orientation checklist. Use a header and a document title to make the checklist template look original and on-brand.

Step 2: Get the Name and Other Basic Information of the New Hire

After the title of the document, use a content block asking for the name of your new hire. This part of the new hire orientation checklist should also contain the work position of the employee, the department or division where he or she will be deployed, the name of his or her manager, and the date when the employee has been hired.

Step 3: Provide a Set of Instructions and Reminders on How the Checklist Should Be Used

After the basic details about the new hire, it is important for you to provide the necessary directions that can make the usage of the checklist as effective as intended. Remind your new hires on when to finish the completion of the new hire orientation checklist as well as when to return the original copy of the document to the human resource department. Add more instruction details depending on the complexity of your new hire orientation and/or the scope of the checklist document.

Step 4: Present All the Key Points of the Orientation

Come up with an orientation schedule that should be completely discussed in the new hire orientation checklist. Provide a time table that can showcase the time frames for the introduction of the company, the discussion of all the new employee paperwork, the specification of the details of the employee handbook, the benefits, and compensation form that includes the new hires will be entitled with, and the presentation of all administrative procedures; rules; policies; and regulations of the company. Aside from these items, you can still include other key points that you think should be included in the orientation program of your new employees.

Step 5: Give an Overview of What Will Happen During the Facility Tour

Usually, new employees are given the chance to take rounds within the facility after their orientation so they can already be aware of the specific locations of offices and departments. Aside from the orientation program itself, your new hire orientation checklist should also include all the important information about the facility tour. Provide an overview of what the facility tour is all about. More so, remind your new hires to be prim and proper during the facility tour especially if it will take place during the operational hours of the business.

Step 6: Include Other Information Depending on Your Needs Before, During, and After the Orientation

It will already depend on your decision if you still want to add other details on top of the specifications that we have listed above. Different organizations have different orientation protocols and requirements which is why you should always feel free to include more activities, items of discussion, and other details which you can make your own new hire orientation checklist more beneficial and usable.

Step 7: Ask For the Signatures of the New Hire and His or Her Manager For Purposes of Referencing

On the bottom part of the new hire orientation checklist, leave signature blocks where the employee and his or her manager will affix their signatures. The dated signatures of the specified entities will be used as the representation or acknowledgment of the completion of all the items listed in the new hire orientation checklist.

Step 8: Review All the Details Specified in the Orientation Checklist

Your new hire orientation checklist draft must be checked for a couple of times. Assess the effectiveness and overall quality of the document. Refining the document’s details can enable you to look for existing errors that you can still correct prior to the actual usage of the new hire orientation checklist.

Advantages of Having an Effective Orientation Checklist

A well-developed new hire orientation checklist can add value to your efforts of making your new hire orientation a successful one. For you to become more motivated to refine the details of your new hire orientation checklist, list down all the benefits that you can get out of the organizational tool’s usage. To begin the identification of these items, here are some of the advantages of having an effective new hire orientation checklist:

A orientation checklist can assure the management that a complete set of orientation information are relayed to the new employees of the company: Great on-boarding can actually increase the performance plan of an organization’s workforce up to 11% (source: shrm). Since orientation activities are under the umbrella of on-boarding processes, it is important for you to ensure that your employees can be aware of all the details that can help them familiarize themselves with the company’s core of operations. An orientation checklist can make it easier for the management to organize the orientation: With a checklist at hand, the people who are responsible for the implementation of the orientation can have an easy time to prepare and complete all the requirements of the program. Organizing the orientation can be a tedious and overwhelming task which is why you need a new hire orientation checklist to allow your mind to capture all your points of focus during the different periods and areas of the new hire orientation cycle.A orientation checklist can set the expectations of your new employees properly: Your new hire orientation checklist can lay down all the information about the orientation. With this, the employees that will attend the orientation can already be aware of the things that can consume their schedule within the day or within the time allocated for the orientation.A orientation checklist can help facilitators to effectively use the entirety of the scheduled time for orientation: Since new hire orientations are usually done prior or during the employee’s actual first day of work, the time for the program is usually limited. Some companies tend to schedule only a few hours for the orientation of new employees. With the usage of a new hire orientation checklist, the facilitator for the entire program can optimize the time that is allotted for the orientation.

Dos and Don’ts for Creating the Best Orientation Checklist

Are you already in the process of making a new hire orientation checklist? Once you have finally decided to come up with a checklist for your new hire orientation, you need to review a number of guidelines that can make it more efficient for you to finalize the details of the specific document. A few of the things that can enable you to create the best new hire orientation checklist are as follows:

Do’s

1. Do Clarify the Set-up and Program For the Orientation

You have to make sure that your new hire orientation checklist is not confusing. Allow transparency to take place by disclosing the set-up of the orientation. It is also essential for you to break the schedule of the orientation down to its smallest details. Being able to do this can make your new hire orientation checklist more usable and necessary.

2. Do Give a General Overview of the Business

Aside from your orientation program checklist, your new hire orientation checklist should also provide a schedule that can let your new hires be aware of the company’s background, history, operational requirements, and needs. It is important for your new hire orientation checklist to let your new employees become and feel more connected to the organization.

3. Do Use a Business-Appropriate and Formal Language 

A new hire orientation checklist is one of the documents that you will provide to your new set of employees. Select a language and a tone of the discussion that can make them feel at ease, comfortable, and professionally welcomed. Since you will present your company’s vision statement, culture, smart goals, and values in this document; it is only necessary for you to use a language that your target audience can relate to while reflecting the brand and image of your organization appropriately.

Don’ts

1. Don’t Think of Unrealistic Goals When Developing the Orientation Checklist

The major result that you need to achieve during new employee orientation is to make sure that your new employees will be well-aware of the things and knowledge areas that can enable them to function accordingly in their new work environment. With this, the goals and objectives of using a new employee orientation checklist should be focused on the output that you want to have within the entirety of the new employee orientation.

2. Don’t Get Confused With On-Boarding and Orientation 

Always be reminded that new hire orientation is only a piece of the on-boarding process. Do not try to squeeze in all the details of your on-boarding in a new hire orientation checklist. Focus on the priorities of the orientation as there are other documents that should be developed for other on-boarding activities.

3. Don’t Make Your Orientation Checklist Disorganized, Overwhelming, and Intimidating

Your new hire orientation checklist should not be loaded with too much information. Use relevant information and veer away from discussions that are not related to the program that you have prepared. When listing the details of your checklist, you need to make sure that the format that you have selected can make your discussion appealing and presentable.

Maximize the usage of our templates and samples once you begin the creation of your company’s new hire orientation checklist. Download any of the references that we have listed in the discussion above so you can have an upper hand in terms of conceptualizing a new hire orientation sample checklist that can work for your advantage.