Before Start Date

An employee’s first impression of your team and Ohio State begins well before they walk through the door or log in for the first time. As their leader, your efforts before day one set the stage for an effective onboarding experience and long-term engagement.

Proactively planning for a new employee’s orientation period, their first 30 days on the job, helps ensure they feel welcomed, supported and set up for success. While responsibilities and business needs vary, and both you and the new employee may be eager for them to contribute quickly, it’s important to strike the right balance. Early preparation gives your employee the space to complete time-sensitive tasks and required training without feeling overwhelmed, while also helping them begin to understand their role and how they’ll make an impact.

Here are additional ways early preparation makes a difference:

• Builds Trust from the Start: When a new employee sees that you’ve thoughtfully prepared for their arrival, it signals that they are valued and that their contributions matter.
• Reduces First-Day Uncertainty: Planning ahead helps you provide clear direction, which eases anxiety and boosts confidence for the new employee.
• Accelerates Productivity: A well-organized onboarding experience helps the employee ramp up more quickly and understand how their work connects to team and organizational goals.
• Strengthens Your Team Culture: Preparing your team to welcome and support a new colleague reinforces a culture of community, collaboration and shared success.

To help you get started, key resources are available:

• The Employee Orientation Companion Guide in BuckeyeLearn offers practical tips and guidance to help you support and engage your new employee, whether they’re brand new to Ohio State or transitioning from another role within the university.
• The Employee Orientation Schedule in HR Connection helps you map out meaningful activities, meetings and training during the new employee’s orientation period. A sample orientation schedule and editable template are included to help you prepare a tailored plan.

Contact your college/unit Human Resources team for additional onboarding information or requirements to ensure those items are incorporated into the employee’s orientation schedule and overall onboarding experience.

Wexner Medical Center Leaders: For additional onboarding resources and guidance specific to the Wexner Medical Center, visit go.osu.edu/wmconboarding.