# New Employees ## expand\_more ## Congratulations on Your New Position! Welcome to Harvard! We are excited to have you join our vibrant community. As you embark on this new chapter, we encourage you to embrace the opportunities ahead while exploring the many resources available to you. You are now part of a community dedicated to teaching, learning, and making a difference — and your role here matters. Whether you're an administrator, researcher, educator, or support staff member, your contributions help shape Harvard's future and impact the lives of students and the world. Your first weeks will be a pivotal time to get settled in your new role, enroll in your benefits, and begin exploring the career development opportunities and many perks that come with being part of this community. ## Getting Started ### Before You Start: - Consult with your manager and your [local HR office](/hr-offices "HR Offices") to see where you’ll need to go on day one and to learn about [paperwork you’ll need to complete](/paperwork-id-cards-reporting-time-and-other-logistics "Paperwork, ID Cards, Reporting Time, and Other Logistics"). - Watch the [Harvard Benefits Highlight videos](/benefits-overview-videos "Benefits Overview Videos") to learn about your benefits options and key enrollment deadlines. - Explore the [New Employee Resource Guide](/sites/g/files/omnuum6281/files/2025-06/new-employee-resource-guide.pdf "New Employee Resource Guide") to learn more about the campus and support available to you. ### First Days: - Coordinate with your manager or HR to get your [ID Card and HarvardKey](/paperwork-id-cards-reporting-time-and-other-logistics "Paperwork, ID Cards, Reporting Time, and Other Logistics") (required to access Harvard’s online systems). - [**Harvard’s New Employee Orientation (NEO)**](https://trainingportal.harvard.edu/Saba/Web_spf/NA1PRD0068/common/ledetail/cours000000000050802) is an on-demand course available in the Harvard Training Portal. You can take the NEO program any time after you have your HarvardKey. We encourage you to **complete the NEO program within your first week** to make sure you're aware of key benefits enrollment deadlines. - Review the [New Hire Checklist](/new-hire-checklist "New Hire Checklist") for other tasks that should be done in your first week. ### Enrolling in Benefits: - You have 30 days from your hire date or date you first become eligible to complete your benefits enrollment. Visit the [Benefit Enrollment](/benefits-enrollment "Benefits Enrollment") page for details. ## Harvard’s New Employee Orientation Program: Your Guide to Benefits, Community, and Success **Harvard's New Employee Orientation (NEO)** program is a self-paced online guide that covers the benefits of being a Harvard employee, University culture, values, perks, and support services. Designed for all new University employees, the course covers the essential information you need to get started and make the most of your Harvard career. Topics include: - **Harvard's Culture, Values, and Community** — An introduction to what makes Harvard a unique and dynamic place to work - **Benefits Overview** — Health insurance, retirement plan options, and key enrollment actions and deadlines - **Career and Professional Development** — Resources available through Harvard Human Resources, HARVie, and the Center for Workplace Development - **Employee Perks and Opportunities** — Paid time off, tuition assistance, employee discounts, and access to campus facilities, libraries, museums, and athletics - **Support Services** — Commuting options, the Employee Assistance Program, work/life resources, campus safety, and more ### How to Access NEO: - Once your HarvardKey has been established — usually on your first day — simply open the [New Employee Orientation course in the Harvard Training Portal](https://trainingportal.harvard.edu/Saba/Web_spf/NA1PRD0068/common/ledetail/cours000000000050802) and launch the program at a time that's convenient for you. - The NEO course takes 60–90 minutes to complete and can be taken in a single session or across multiple shorter sessions — simply exit at any point and the course will resume where you left off when you return. - New benefits-eligible employees receive an automatic assignment to take NEO and are sent email reminders to complete the course. Employees who are not benefits-eligible are welcome to go through NEO to learn about the University but should be aware that some benefits mentioned in the program may not apply to them. - After completing NEO, you can relaunch the course at any time. NEO is Harvard’s University-wide orientation program; your local HR office will inform you if there are any additional local orientation programs relevant to your school or department. The Center for Workplace Development welcomes all benefits-eligible employees to participate in its programs and activities. For questions about orientation, or to request an accommodation, please contact . ### Your Harvard journey starts here. ### Related Links [New Employee Resource Guide](/sites/g/files/omnuum6281/files/2025-06/new-employee-resource-guide.pdf "New Employee Resource Guide") [Local Harvard HR Offices](/hr-offices "HR Offices") [Succeeding in Your New Job](/sites/g/files/omnuum6281/files/2025-02/succeeding_in_your_new_job.pdf "New Employee Development") [Info for Employees on the Harvard Longwood Campus](https://hlc.harvard.edu/before-you-start/) ### Contact Us **Benefits Office** Call center: 617-496-4001; M, T, Th, F, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; W, 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Email: