Employee Onboarding Plan — Template

Goal: they feel welcome, know who to ask, and can navigate the basics.

Welcome session with manager — role expectations, team context, how success is measured
Meet the team — names, roles, what each person does
Tour the tools — where to find docs, how to communicate, where to ask for help
HR orientation — benefits, policies, time off, expenses
Buddy check-in — informal, answer all the "dumb" questions

Goal: they understand how the team works and start contributing in small ways.

Goal	How	Status
Understand the team's mission and current priorities	Read team docs, attend team meetings, ask questions	Not Started
Learn the core product / service / codebase	Hands-on exploration, shadow colleagues	Not Started
Complete first small contribution	A task scoped for learning, not impact	Not Started
Build relationships beyond the immediate team	Intro meetings with key stakeholders	Not Started

Goal: they're delivering real work with decreasing guidance.

Goal	How	Status
Own a meaningful piece of work end-to-end	Assigned by manager based on strengths	Not Started
Give feedback on something — process, docs, tools	Fresh eyes are most valuable now	Not Started
Identify one area they want to develop	Discuss in 1:1	Not Started

Goal: they're operating independently and feel like part of the team.

Goal	How	Status
Deliver a project or initiative with impact		Not Started
Be the go-to person for something	An area, tool, or process they now own	Not Started
Complete 90-day review with manager	Mutual feedback: how's it going for both sides?	Not Started

When	With	Focus
End of Week 1	Manager	How are you settling in? Anything missing?
Day 30	Manager	Progress on learning goals, adjust plan if needed
Day 60	Manager + buddy	Are you feeling productive? What support do you need?
Day 90	Manager	Full review: performance, fit, goals for next quarter

Area	Person	When to Ask
Day-to-day questions	Buddy	Anything
Role and expectations	Manager	Priorities, feedback, career
HR / benefits		Policies, time off, expenses
IT / access		Equipment, accounts, permissions

Employee Onboarding Plan Template