What's In Your New Hire Employee Packets?

When hiring new employees, developing employment packets is an ideal way of educating the hire about your organization, as well as providing all new hire forms. In order for this effort to be beneficial, businesses or HR professionals do need to put a little pre-planning into the process.

The good news is that it does not have to take a lot of time or money to have an effective new employee packet put into place.

The New Hire Packet – What’s Included?

What do you put into your employment packets? This will vary from one company to the next, but it is quite common for new hire employee packets to include the following:

• A welcome letter and introduction is a good place to start. Use company letterhead and use the individual’s name to personalize it (not a dull form letter). Provide brief information about the company and its future. Provide contact references for payroll, supervisors and benefits professionals.
• The new employee handbook should be in this packet, too. This packet needs to include information on workplace policies, procedures and other aspects they need to know to work at the organization.
• Employment forms may be included in the packet unless the employee already filled these out. This includes the W-4, 1099, I-9 and other forms. Ensure instructions or explanations are included in this packet. Provide an opportunity for the individual to ask questions, too.
• Benefits information should also be a part of the new employee packet. This includes insurance, payroll and benefit information. Provide information about time tracking systems you use, payroll schedules and a comprehensive directory of the benefits available to the individual.
• Provide information about uniforms and equipment forms, as they apply. If there are any special types of equipment that are part of the job, include information about it here. Be sure to outline any requirements for obtaining this equipment, replacement equipment and additional uniforms.
• Emergency contact information is also a part of this packet. This should include information about who the employee should contact when and if there is an emergency. It could include contact information for upper level management if there is a problem they wish to discuss.

The new employee handbook should welcome the new employee while providing an opportunity for the company to set the ground rules. Use it wisely and there is never a question about what the employee should and should not do to succeed at his or her job. While it may not provide step-by-step instructions for how to do the job, it will provide resources necessary to get started.

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