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Free checklist template · Word

New Hire Checklist

A new hire checklist follows a hire from offer acceptance to the end of probation, organised by time phase. Hiring managers and HR use it to make sure the employee is prepared for, settled in and reviewed at the right moments.

  • Editable Word (.docx)
  • Made for India
  • 10 fill-in fields highlighted
  • Free, no sign-up

Preview of the checklist

[Highlighted] = fill in
[Company Logo][Company Name]

NEW HIRE CHECKLIST

New Hire:
[Employee Name]
Designation:
[Designation]
Reporting Manager:
[Reporting Manager]
Date of Joining:
[Date of Joining]

Phase 1: After Offer Acceptance

  • Send welcome call or message from manager
  • Share joining date, time, address and dress code
  • Request pre-joining documents list
  • Raise IT and asset request
  • Inform team of the new hire's arrival

Phase 2: Day One

  • Receive at reception and give office tour
  • Complete joining formalities with HR
  • Hand over laptop, ID card and logins
  • Introduce buddy and team
  • Lunch with manager or team

Phase 3: First Week

  • Explain role, KRAs and team structure
  • Complete induction sessions and policy acknowledgements
  • Assign first small task
  • End-of-week check-in by manager

Phase 4: First Month

  • Agree 30/60/90-day plan
  • Complete role-specific training
  • HR check-in on experience and concerns
  • Month-one feedback conversation

Phase 5: Probation and Confirmation

  • Mid-probation review recorded
  • Final probation review before end date
  • Confirmation letter or extension letter issued
  • Update employee status in HRMS
PhaseCompleted OnOwnerRemarks
Phase 1[DD/MM/YYYY][Name][Remarks]
Phase 2[DD/MM/YYYY][Name][Remarks]
Phase 3[DD/MM/YYYY][Name][Remarks]
Phase 4[DD/MM/YYYY][Name][Remarks]
Phase 5[DD/MM/YYYY][Name][Remarks]
[Reporting Manager]
Date: [Date]
Verified by
[HR Name]
HR Department, [Company Name]
Date: [Date]

What this template includes

  • Phase-wise structure from pre-joining to month three
  • Manager tasks alongside HR tasks
  • Early check-ins to catch problems before they become exits
  • Probation review reminder tied to the confirmation decision
  • Completion columns for date and owner

When to use it

  • When a hiring manager wants one list for the whole journey, not just joining day
  • For start-ups building a repeatable onboarding process
  • When remote or hybrid hires need planned touchpoints
  • When probation reviews are often forgotten

How to customise this template

  1. 1Change month three to match your probation period
  2. 2Add role-specific training such as product or compliance modules
  3. 3Insert names of the buddy and HRBP
  4. 4Share it with the manager when the offer is accepted

HR tips

  • Start the checklist the day the offer is accepted, not on day one
  • Schedule week-one and month-one check-ins in the calendar immediately
  • Record feedback from each check-in briefly
  • Use the probation section to decide confirmation on time

For HR & hiring managers

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Frequently asked questions

What should be on a new hire checklist?+

Pre-joining communication, equipment and access set-up, first-day welcome, first-week training, first-month goal review and the probation review. Each item should have an owner and a date.

How is a new hire checklist different from a joining formalities checklist?+

A joining formalities checklist focuses on documents and statutory steps around joining day. A new hire checklist covers the whole early journey up to confirmation.

Who owns the new hire checklist?+

The hiring manager usually owns it, supported by HR for documentation and IT/admin for set-up.