Having a system in place to orient new employees does several important things for your business. First, it ensures each employee hears the important information and completes all the necessary forms. This saves you from problems down the road when an important form is missing or some important policy does not get communicated. Second, having a system in place saves you from having to reinvent the wheel each time a new employee comes onboard—a checklist will save you time and give your business a professional, organized feel. Finally, in the event that you are unable to do the orientation yourself, having a system in place will help someone else step into your shoes and get the job done.
Below are topics to include in your checklist for new employee orientation. You can scroll through the list below or download the "Sample Checklist for New Employee Orientation" pdf.
Initial welcome
____ Introductions to supervisor(s) and key personnel
____ Clarification of the name the employee prefers to be known by
____ Brief history of your farm
General information and procedures
____ Reference document stating terms of employment, including the nature of the position (fixed term or at-will) and other company information
____ Location of restrooms, personal storage areas, bulletin boards, emergency supplies, and phones
____ Policy on personal cell phone use, company equipment, and facilities
____ Disciplinary, suggestion, and complaint procedures
____ Special policies or procedures that are unique to particular positions (ex. Rain policy for field crews)
Work time and pay
___ Work days and hours and variability of the schedule
___ Meal and break periods
___ Overtime requirements or options
____ Means of notification in case of changes
___ Call-in procedures when unable to show up for work when expected
___ Tardiness and absenteeism policy
___ Time card or time-keeping procedures
___ Paycheck distribution – where, where, how
___ What to do and who to ask about pay discrepancies
___ Starting pay rate, including any incentive wages or bonuses
___ Relation of future pay increases to merit, longevity, or other factors
___ Fringe benefits available
___ Procedures for use of vacation, sick or personal leave
___ Performance review and appraisal procedures
The job
___ Tour of farm operation and specific areas where employees will be working
___ Introduction to other crew members
___ Organizational structure and chain of command
___ Systems, tools, and procedures
___ Job duties and scope
___ Relation of the employee’s job to the end product and consumers
___ Specific performance expectations and work standards
___ Product quality requirements
___ Any promotional opportunities and anticipated time to achieve them
Safety
___ All elements of the company injury and illness prevention program
___ Pesticide safety training and equipment as required
___ Use and care of work equipment
___ Identification and location of workplace hazards
___ Use, storage, and disposal of solvents and hazardous chemicals
___ Use of personal protective equipment including clothes, footwear, respiratory, eye and hearing protection.
___ Symptoms of pesticide illness, heat stress, sunstroke and sun exposure
___ Lifting techniques and ergonomic best practices
___ Location and use of fire extinguishers and emergency procedures
___ Location of first-aid and medical supplies
___ How to report accidents and illness