Guide to Onboarding New Employees

for leaders of staff employees

New Employee Orientation / First Day in Unit

Virtual New Employee Orientation

Objective: New employee feels welcomed into the Buckeye community and is excited about what Ohio State has to offer. The employee learns about our values and the many wellness opportunities.

All new employees attend a virtual orientation on the morning of their first day. About a week before their first day, new employees receive an email with the orientation date and time and a link to join.

You will receive a copy of this email. Discuss how the employee will join the orientation (from the office, from their home, in a group with others, etc.) and how they will spend the rest of their first day.

Information.

Coming July 2025: On-Demand Orientation for Staff

Beginning in July, Ohio State will introduce a new self-paced, on-demand orientation for campus staff that replaces the live, virtual orientation and related resources. The new format offers consistent content delivery, greater schedule flexibility and fewer first-day technology barriers. A three-module course, New Buckeye Orientation: Becoming an Ohio State Employee, will be automatically assigned in BuckeyeLearn on each new staff member’s first day. It also includes a new Employee Orientation Guide, as well as an Employee Orientation Companion Guide for hiring managers. As you hire new employees, please be aware of this change and keep an eye out for the materials that will be available in July. Common start dates for new hires and weekly benefits webinars are unchanged.

Benefits Webinars in the first week

Having the information needed to make informed choices as it relates to available retirement and health and welfare benefits is essential. Encourage your new employee to attend the New Hire Retirement and Health & Welfare Benefits webinar offered every Monday from 12:30 – 3 p.m. except for holidays. Registration in BuckeyeLearn is recommended but not required.

Learn more about both webinars as you plan your new employee’s schedule.

First Day in Unit

Objective: New employee feels welcomed and prepared to start working; begins to understand what it means to be a part of Ohio State, their position and performance expectations.

NOTE: Ohio State Wexner Medical Center employees may have multiple orientations, so their first day with their team may not be until Day 2 or Day 3. This will be noted in their offer letter.