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Staff induction for new employees - Your welcome
First steps
Once you have successfully obtained an offer of employment with us, there are a variety of pre-employment documents to be completed. This may include: a right to work check, medical questionnaire, DBS (if required), payroll information and pension documentation. You may indeed have completed some or all of these already!
If you need any support in the completion of these documents, please contact the Service Centre or your new line manager.
Keeping in touch
Prior to your first day with us, your new line manager will keep in touch with you to provide an opportunity to answer any questions you may have and agree a suitable start date, time and location.
If you have any questions please utilise these opportunities with your new line manager, or please email the Service Centre. We want to ensure you feel as comfortable as possible on your first day.
Preparing for day one
Once you have agreed the date, time and location for your first day, there are some other things you need to know ahead of day one:
Parking
If you are planning to drive to your place of work, there may be many different options for you to park. This will be dependent on your main work location. Please ask your line manager prior to day one for information on where you can park and any parking permit options (where applicable).
Refreshments
The majority of offices have fridges and microwaves for you to store and prepare your lunch. But if you’re a brew drinker, we recommend bringing your own mug and other provisions such as tea, coffee, sugar, milk (or alternative) etc. as we can’t guarantee there will be hot drinks provisions at every location. If you have any questions on hot drink options, please ask your line manager. Depending on your work location, there are likely to be plenty of local lunch options. Please ask your line manager if you’d like any recommendations or their choice of local lunch!
Dress code
Whilst we currently do not have a formal dress code for everyone, it is important to dress accordingly for your role. If you have any doubts about what to wear on your first day, please discuss this with your manager.
Some employees may be provided with clothing or PPE and it is important you follow the relevant guidance for the applicable items.
Reasonable adjustments
You may have a requirement for reasonable adjustments to be made to ensure you can safely access work and, if needed, evacuate the building. Your line manager should discuss this with you prior to your first day. Please make your line manager aware of your requirements ahead of your first day.
Your first day
Your line manager will have prepared for you starting in your new role; this includes requesting your ICT equipment/ ID badge and ordering any personal protective clothing or uniform, if required, for your role.
Your buddy
Your line manager may assign you a buddy to help you settle in and to ensure you have a friendly face for support. This will likely be a colleague within the same service as your new role. Please ask your manager on your first day if you need any additional information on your Buddy.
Induction checklist
You will be provided with a copy of the Induction Checklist. This contains all the key information and tasks to help you settle into your role at the Council and provides an overview of time scales for activities. Together with your manager and your induction Buddy, you will complete the checklist. There are specific activities to complete, such as knowing about any clocking-in or clocking-out arrangements, how to request annual leave and other important policies or procedures you will need to know. There are a range of HR policies to support you, please familiarise yourself with them throughout your induction.
Employee ID card and lanyard
On your first day you will made aware of how you will receive an Employee ID card and lanyard. You must keep your ID badge safe and secure and have it on your person at all times during work. It will provide access in and around your work building and depending on your location, may provide access to the printers. If you lose your ID badge, please report this to your line manager as soon as possible.
MyHR
MyHR is our web-based self-service system accessible by all devices including smart phones and tablets, that links into the council’s HR and payroll system. This is where you will need to go to book your leave, access your payslip and submit any expenses claims, as well as keeping your personal details up-to-date.
Information Security and Data Protection
All Cumberland Council employees are required to undertake seven core essential learning modules (more information can be found in ‘Your Learning and Development’). These topics are essential for all due to either being a legal requirement for the organisation or to support our Council Plan. Information Security and Data Protection is a legal requirement and must be completed on your first day with us. The rest are to be completed during your induction.
If you don’t have easy access to ICT, there is an alternative format available; your line manager will ensure this is provided to you.
Your first six weeks
Your probation
All employees are required to complete a six-month probationary period. This involves probation review meetings set across your first six months and is where your line manager will discuss expectations, behaviours and set targets for you in your role.
In exceptional circumstances the probationary period may be extended, to allow you more time to reach the required level of performance.
Once you have successfully completed your probationary period, you may be eligible for salary increment.
For more information, please see our Probationary Policy.
Council induction
All employees will be invited to an induction event to meet some key contacts within the council, to discuss our purpose and values and to meet other new employees to the business. Please watch out for the event invite coming through once you have started in your role.
Communications
All employees will receive regular updates via various channels. Please discuss with your line manager how updates will be provided to you in your role.