How Do I Orient My Nonprofit’s New Employees?

It is a good idea to have a formal orientation program so that all newly hired employees get the same treatment and information. This orientation period will probably last several weeks. You will want to be both welcoming to your new employee, and attentive to legal requirements.

Elements of an employee orientation include:

• Personalize the workspace
• Orient the employee to the office: how equipment works, description of procedures, etc.
• Introduce the new employee to all the staff, volunteers, relevant community members, etc.
• Schedule lunch with the supervisor and relevant staff the first week
• Explain benefits; fill out relevant forms
• Fill out other forms required by the government: Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9), Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate (Form W-4), New Hire Reporting Form, and Consents for Release of Information (if doing a background check)
• Introduce the employee handbook; review policies; give a copy to the employee and obtain signed acknowledgment that employee received the employee handbook, as well as any other acknowledgments that need to be signed
• Explain the performance evaluation process
• Highlight required employment posters

The Standards for Excellence® Institute’s Model Employee Handbook is designed to be used as a resource to provide you with ideas, suggestions, and guidelines which may be valuable to your organization as a starting point or useful comparison for your own employee handbook. For access to our resources on budgeting, financial policies, personnel policies, and risk management and other resources, join Maryland Nonprofits today! 

From the Standards for Excellence®: An Ethics and Accountability Code for the Nonprofit Sector. The Standards for Excellence code, developed by the Standards for Excellence Institute, includes specific benchmarks and measures that provide a structured approach to building capacity, accountability, and sustainability in your nonprofit organization. The code identifies 6 major areas of nonprofit governance and management: Mission, Strategy, and Evaluation; Leadership: Board, Staff, and Volunteers; Legal Compliance and Ethics; Finance and Operations; Resource Development and Fundraising; and Public Awareness, Engagement and Advocacy.

The Standards for Excellence® Institute, a program of Maryland Nonprofits, provides the best possible resources to nonprofits nationwide, helping build their capacity to effectively and efficiently meet the needs of their communities. Members of Maryland Nonprofits gain access to an online community with an expansive library of resources and customizable templates. Membership with Maryland Nonprofits is designed to help you raise more money, develop your board, build relationships, learn, save on the things you need to run your organization, and amplify your voice in Annapolis.