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To-do list before your employee starts
Now that you’ve found your new employee and they’ve signed on, you need to make sure you’re set up and ready for them to start.
A few simple steps will smooth their transition and get them working for you quicker.
The Employment Relations Act has changed. Some changes have already come into effect; others apply from 6th May 2019.
Content on this page will be updated to reflect those changes. To find out more, check out Employment New Zealand's Employment Relations Amendment bill 2018 page (external link) .
Everyone you employ needs a written employment agreement.
You must do it by law, and it’s a great foundation for an employment relationship. Our new Employment Agreement Builder (external link) will help guide you through the steps to create a proper agreement.
Complete all the pre-start paperwork
By the time your new employee is ready to start work, you must have:
- given them an employment agreement. You should also include a timeframe for them to confirm their acceptance. You can do this in a letter formally offering them the job and send it with the employment agreement
- received back a signed employment agreement
- checked that they’re entitled to work in New Zealand
- registered as an employer with Inland Revenue, if it’s your first time employing someone.
You should also:
- let your other staff know they’re starting
- set aside some time to introduce them
- prepare an induction process, covering all the things they need to know
- schedule any training they’ll need, such as how to assess risk at work.
