The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations is the membership organisation for Scotland's charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises. Charity registered in Scotland SC003558. Registered office Mansfield Traquair Centre, 15 Mansfield Place, Edinburgh EH3 6BB.
Planning for induction
Create an induction policy
It is good practice to develop a formal induction policy which covers all aspects of induction to ensure correct procedures are followed consistently across the organisation and that the organisation is able to effectively induct new employees within the organisation.
| We’ve created some templates exclusively for our members. Find them here: Induction templates, models and checklists |
Create induction pack
An induction pack should be put together ready for the new employee’s first day and should contain essential documents and information that the new employee should be aware of or may need to refer to in their first few weeks. This could include the following:
- Organisation chart and overview
- Key policies and procedures which all employees need to be familiar with (e.g. health and safety policy, equal opportunities policy, email and internet policy, code of conduct)
- Forms that need to be completed immediately (e.g. to obtain an ID pass or secure entrance key)
- Forms for general use (e.g. holiday booking form, self-certification form)
- Guidance documents (e.g. user guide to computer systems, appraisal process)
- Details of mandatory training courses or workbooks to be completed.
Work out who is responsible for induction
HR will be responsible for setting the framework within which induction for all new employees should be planned and monitored. HR should provide guidance to line managers on planning and managing the induction process. It is usual for new employees to meet with HR during their first two weeks to ensure everything is in place and for HR to provide an introduction to HR policies and procedures.
HR also have a role to play at each stage of the process, ensuring the employee has provided all required documentation such as P45 and bank details and that they have signed their contract of employment and understand their terms and conditions. HR should also ensure that new employees are booked onto relevant training such as Health and Safety training.
Day to day management of the induction should be handled by the manager of the role. This would include setting up meetings, setting objectives, ensuring the person meets relevant colleagues and generally creating a welcoming environment.