Orientation Training Checklist

09 December 2014

The Introduction

This section offers an employer the opportunity to present their company positively to the employee and highlight the company ethos and history. An ‘About Us’ section is a good way of showing the benefits of working with the company and sets the tone for how the employee is expected to behave and interact during their employment.

It is also expected that the employer will explain the purpose and outline of the orientation training. There should be some clarification on the way in which the inductee will be tested on their knowledge of the contents of the course.

Testing new employee’s knowledge of the material as they are taking the orientation is a great way to ensure the information is being taken in and provides security for the employer that staff are knowledgeable and prepared for the workplace.

Company Policy Overview

Here the employer can give an overview of employer responsibilities and employee responsibilities and of legislation that may govern the employer/employee relationship. Coming under company policy is the company ethos and how the incoming employee can best represent the company to clients and public. ‘Our culture and value’ may be some of the most important concepts that can be transferred to employees and they underpin ensuing sections that cover Codes of Conduct and Company Rules and Site Overview & Facilities

One of the most difficult aspects of a new hire’s or new contractor’s first day is getting to know the environment around them. The site overview should clarify the extent of the facility that the employee will be working at and where they should go to on the first day. It should also include the contact person that they should ask for on day one who will either (a) deliver the induction, or (b) check that the orientation has been completed online.

Maps and photographs of the facility are particularly important here and should be used extensively. A recent photograph of the main point of contact as well as their contact details is also a courtesy that could be extended and helps to ease the orientation process.

This is the section where all the various sections of the facility can be outlined, e.g. canteen, toilets, work stations, fire assembly areas and so on. These areas will be addressed in subsequent sections of the orientation so they should be clearly laid out here.

Always remember that joining a new company is daunting. Your orientation should set the expectations of the new employee and make them feel more comfortable in their new workplace.

Company Rules and Code of Conduct

This is the main body of the orientation course and covers many different areas for the employee. These include:

  • Company Policy – Bullying and Harassment
  • Company Policy – Dignity at Work
  • Company Policy – Grounds for discrimination
  • Company Policy – Maternity Leave
  • Company Policy – Internet and Mobile Phone Policy
  • Company Policy – Annual Leave
  • Company Policy – Environment and Recycling
  • Company Policy – Dress code
  • Company Policy – Working with Children
  • Company Policy – Disability awareness
  • Company Policy – Mental Health Awareness

Health and Safety Training

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Employers often fail to address health and safety training sufficiently when it is easiest to do so, at the orientation training stage. There are a number of sections to cover and the implications for workplace accidents, claims and insurance costs is such that all employers should take this section seriously.

As with all Health and Safety guides it is important to be aware of any legislative changes that may impact on your training and to stay up-to-date. Sections to cover include:

  • Fire Safety – Prevention and detection
  • Fire Safety – How to deal with a fire
  • Fire Safety – Fire Drills (Tip: take a recording of the fire alarm in your building and play it during the induction)
  • Hazards in the Workplace – Working with electricity
  • Hazards in the Workplace – Working at height
  • Hazards in the Workplace – Slips, Trips and Falls
  • Hazards in the Workplace – The Fatal 4 (Falls, Stuck between objects, Struck by objects, Electrocutions)
  • Hazards in the Workplace – Manual Handling
  • Hazards in the Workplace – Fumes and Ambient Dust
  • Hazards in the Workplace – Personal Protection Equipment
  • Hazards in the Workplace – Accident Reporting

First Aid

A basic run through of First Aid principles including bandaging, washing out eyes, cleaning wounds and CPR are useful to cover here. More importantly are the key protocols to follow in the case of an accident or injury in the workplace. The assigned First Aid and Health and Safety Officer in the workplace should be clearly identified with a photo and contact information. Procedures to follow in terms of calling in emergency services should also be clarified. It is important to assume that staff may not know emergency numbers or who to call in the event of specific accidents or injuries so it can be valuable to go in depth into various scenarios.

My Job

This may not always be possible but the more tailored the orientation course is to an individual employee or group of employees the more likely they are to remember the information. Tailored orientations are also proven to increase employee retention rates and provide the best possible start for a worker.

Items to cover here are:

  • Direct supervisor or manager
  • Uniform and dress code
  • Working Hours
  • Statutory holidays
  • How to book time off
  • Sick leave and sick notes
  • Job description
  • Work colleagues and photos

We hope that this template provides you with sufficient information to build a comprehensive orientation course for your candidates. If you require any further assistance with any aspect of building an online orientation course for your company Watch our 60 seconds Video or Take a Free Demo Today.

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Sonya Sikra

Sonya is the Brand Strategy Manager at GoContractor. She specializes in communicating how implementing tech in construction can drive productivity and profit.

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