How to use the new hire checklist template
- Edit the checklist items. Each has a task, a week number and an owner. Week 0 means before the first day.
- Remove or add items to fit your workplace. Items are grouped by week in the order you entered them.
- Optionally type the new hire's name, role, manager and a start date to print the dates of each week.
- Print the checklist. Each task has an owner, a box to tick and a line for the date it was done.
Four weeks and 20 items
The starting list has 20 items in 4 weekly sections of 5 tasks each: Week 1 covers paperwork, accounts, equipment, introductions and goals. Weeks 2 to 4 cover reading, training, a first project and a review.
With a start date of October 12, 2026 the headings read Week 1 (Oct 12 to Oct 18), Week 2 (Oct 19 to Oct 25), Week 3 (Oct 26 to Nov 1) and Week 4 (Nov 2 to Nov 8). Add a task with week 0 and a section called Before the first day prints first.
A starting point to adapt
The list is a general example of onboarding tasks so that you do not start from a blank page. It is not a legal checklist and does not know what paperwork or training your workplace, industry or location requires. Change every item to match your own policies, and ask your HR or legal contact about required steps.
Owners are labels you type, such as Manager, IT or Buddy, so that every task has someone responsible for it. Tasks that need several people can list the main owner and mention the others in the task text. Leave the owner blank when it does not matter who does the task.
Using the checklist well
Give the new hire a copy so they can see what to expect, and review it together at a weekly check in. Moving tasks between weeks is as simple as changing the week number. For general lists, the checklist maker turns any list into a printable checklist.
To judge candidates before they join, see the interview scorecard template. For what a hire costs, the employee cost calculator adds payroll costs to a wage, and the standard operating procedure template documents how a task is done.
Assumptions and limits
- The starting items are an example list, not a required one.
- Weeks run from 0 to 12 and up to 60 items fit.
- Dates are counted in steps of 7 days from the start date.
- Legal, tax and benefits steps are not modeled and are for you to add.
Frequently asked questions
What should a new hire checklist include?
Most include paperwork, equipment and accounts, introductions, training and goals. Edit the starting list to fit your workplace.
Is this checklist legally complete?
No. It is a general example and not legal or HR advice. Add the steps your workplace and location require.
How do I change which week a task is in?
Edit the week number on its row. Week 0 prints first under the heading Before the first day.
Can I print dates for each week?
Yes. Enter the start date and each weekly heading shows its date range.