Work Basics: Onboarding

How you welcome someone new is crucial for setting a tone for your workplace/show/studio. Here are some things to keep in mind.


The first 90 days of a contract (aka 'probation period' in most Canadian contracts at least) are just as much for the employee to see if they like their new studio as it is for an employer to see if they are the right fit. It is critical to make a good first impression to welcome and maintain new talent.

Here is a breakdown of common onboarding tasks to prep for an incoming/new hire. In the Animation industry, all of these tasks should be handled by someone in Production.


Welcome
  • Send a welcome email!
    • Include Who's Who (supervisor and lead, who their immediate teammates are), info about submitting sick/vac days, key log-in info, and how to submit a ticket
  • Ensure Supervisor/person training the incoming new hire is aware and has work/assignments ready
  • When adding new hire to chat groups, remind the team this is someone new and to give a warm welcome!
  • If relevant for your studio - ensure a welcome package is sent
  • After a week, do a quick check in with this person to see how their first week went!

Set-up
  • Add new hire to relevant email groups
  • Add new hire to relevant chat groups
  • Work with IT to ensure they have access to relevant network folders
  • Add to relevant Shotgrid groups
    • Ensure the new hire is clear on what platform you use for email and chat if your studio has multiple (ex, Slack and GSuite)
  • Invite them to recurring, relevant meetings (ex, team reviews, line check-ins, dailies)
  • Send them any relevant network paths, shotgrid page links, or Google Drive links
  • Add to any other relevant trackers (credits doc, OT tracker, etc)
  • Send relevant documentation or videos to assist with tech set up 


Orientation
  • Book a welcome meeting so the new hire can meet the team and/or the person they will be training with
    • Send key show reference
    • Animatic for the episode they will be working on 
    • Fully completed episode so they can see the show standard and get to know assets
    • Any tutorials/recordings relevant for their department
    • Character line up 
  • Check with the Lead/Supervisor (whoever is training the new person) if they need assistance setting up any recurring training calls/meetings





Further Learning

10 expert tips for starting a new job to ensure success
What to Ask on Your First Day as a Production Coordinator by So You Wanna Be Prod
My First Day in Production
Episode 16: Help, I Don't Fit in Here! by Don't Be a Jerk At Work
New Job Jitters? 24 Tips to Master Your First Day of Work

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