Employee Onboarding Checklist: From Offer to Day 90

October 31, 2026

Employee Onboarding Checklist Excel template
Employee Onboarding Checklist Excel templateEmployee Onboarding Checklist

Onboarding is everything that happens between “yes, I accept” and a fully productive team member. Done well, it shortens ramp-up time and improves retention; done badly, it’s the reason many people leave in their first months.

Before day 1

  • Send a welcome email with the first-day agenda (manager).
  • Prepare laptop, accounts and email (IT).
  • Contract, tax and payroll forms signed (HR).
  • Order badge, business cards, desk or equipment (HR).
  • Assign a buddy.

Day 1

  • Office tour and introductions (buddy).
  • Review the role, expectations and 90-day goals (manager).
  • Set up tools and passwords (IT).
  • Lunch with the team.

Week 1

  • Company values, policies and safety training (HR).
  • Shadow experienced colleagues (buddy).
  • Product or service training (manager).
  • First small task with a quick win.

Month 1

  • First 1:1 feedback meeting (manager).
  • Required compliance courses completed (employee).
  • Takes ownership of first responsibilities.

Day 90

  • 90-day review: what’s going well, what to improve, goals for the next period.

Make it work

  • Every task has an owner — HR, IT, manager, buddy or the employee.
  • Due dates relative to the start date (e.g., −5 days, day 0, day 14). Change the start date and the whole plan moves.
  • Track progress by phase and follow up on overdue tasks.

Template

The Employee Onboarding Checklist has tasks by phase with owners, automatic due dates from the start date, done status, overdue alerts and progress by phase. Track courses afterwards with the Employee Training Tracker.

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