New Starters
Once you have recruited a new employee, there are a number of important steps to take before and during their first few weeks of employment.
Getting the administration right is essential, including issuing employment contracts, carrying out right to work checks and collecting the information needed for payroll and employment records.
However, welcoming a new employee is about more than paperwork. A well-planned induction helps them settle into the business, understand their role, become familiar with company policies and procedures and start contributing effectively.
This section provides practical guidance on preparing for a new employee, completing the necessary administration and carrying out an effective induction. You will also find useful checklists and templates to help you manage the process.
Frequently asked questions
How can I attract the right candidates?
Look at the section on attracting and shortlisting candidates. Attracting candidates is a bit like marketing. You need to make your organisation and the job role attractive. You may also want to think about your internal marketing generally. We put a lot of emphasis on external marketing, but little on how we market to employees. From how you induct people and communicate, to how you present your employee handbook will say something to your employees.
What questions should I ask in an interview?
Look at the interview preparation section and the interview questions template for some example questions. The purpose of the interview / recruitment process is to assess if someone is right for the position and for your organisation. Try to think of questions that will help you to determine this.
What questions should I NOT ask at interview?
You should not ask questions that may discriminate against the candidate. For example, you should not ask about a female candidate’s if she intends to start a family. You should not ask about religion or belief or any protected characteristics (see Equal Opportunities).
