A Checklist For Nonprofit Managers

The first day at a new job is one of the most nervous moments for any person. That anxiety is usually associated with the new employee, but the manager has equal reasons to be nervous.

Nonprofit managers have a lot on their plate on the first day of a new hire. They have to make sure everything is in order so that the day goes as smoothly as possible. The last thing an already nervous employee wants to deal with is more anxiety and disorganization from the employer, so it's important to get rid of those butterflies.

One of the best ways to do this is to go back to the basics and create a checklist to ensure that you are prepared. In "The Big Book of HR," Barbara Mitchell and Cornelia Gamlem laid out the following nine items to go over before the new employee arrives. If all of these questions are answered in the affirmative, then you will be ready to make sure your employee's first day of work is successful:

• Does security know the new hire is starting?
• Does the employee know when and where to report on Day One?
• Is the work area ready with computer, phone, supplies, and welcoming items?
• Do your staff members know when the new hire is arriving?
• Do you have a plan for the first day and beyond?
• Does your schedule include time for the new hire?
• Does the new hire have a copy of the person’s job description?
• Does the new hire have a copy of the organization’s strategic plan and mission statement?
• Does the new hire know what to do in case of an emergency in the workplace?

One more thing: Make sure you are available on the first. If there's an emergency that requires you to be out of the office, select someone to help the new employee out in your stead.

You can get more hiring tips like these in our upcoming jobs eNewsletter, which will be out Wednesday.