New employee onboarding checklist for Canadian small businesses

Everything to do before day one, on day one, and in the first 90 days, so nothing slips.

Download the printable checklist (PDF)

Before day one

• Send the offer letter and get it signed
• Collect the federal TD1 and the provincial TD1 form
• Record their Social Insurance Number and store it securely
• Set up direct deposit
• Add them to payroll and the schedule
• Get their workspace, uniform, keys or accounts ready
• Tell the team who's starting and when

Day one

• Welcome and introductions
• Tour: breaks, washrooms, exits, first aid kit and fire extinguishers
• Health and safety orientation: hazards, their rights, and how to report
• WHMIS training if they'll handle hazardous products
• Walk through their duties and the first-week plan
• Go over key policies: hours, breaks, time off, phones
• Emergency contact on file

First week

• Pair them with an experienced coworker
• Check in at the end of the first week

First 90 days

• 30-day check-in
• 60-day check-in
• Probation review before it ends

Provincial TD1 forms

Every new employee fills out the federal TD1 and the form for the province or territory where they work: Alberta (TD1AB), British Columbia (TD1BC), Manitoba (TD1MB), New Brunswick (TD1NB), Newfoundland and Labrador (TD1NL), Nova Scotia (TD1NS), Northwest Territories (TD1NT), Nunavut (TD1NU), Ontario (TD1ON), Prince Edward Island (TD1PE), Saskatchewan (TD1SK), Yukon (TD1YT). Quebec uses the TP-1015.3 from Revenu Québec.

Questions