New Hire Checklist
What do I need to do at least two weeks before my start date?
- Payroll paperwork meeting: Please plan to meet in person or virtually with Central Payroll at least two weeks prior to your start date to validate your I-9 documents. You must bring current valid identity information as listed on the official USCIS site.
- Email your new manager to obtain details of your first day, where to meet, etc.
- Please go to the New Employee page and set up your Harvard New Employee Orientation date.
What should I do during the first week?
Note: Many of these links won’t work until on or after your first day
- Obtain HUID card at ID Card Services (8th floor, Smith Campus Center).
- Claim your HarvardKey to set up your new Harvard email.
- Visit New Employee Resources and HARVie to review University Policies (HarvardKey required).
- Review Benefits package and enroll via PeopleSoft (HarvardKey required) within 30 days from your start date. Harvard Benefits will mail the package to home address in first week.
- In PeopleSoft (HarvardKey required):
- Sign up for Direct Deposit by selecting: Self Service tile > Payroll & Compensation > Direct Deposit.
- Update Personal Details by selecting: Self-Service > My Personal Details tile.
- Review and accept Confidentiality Agreement by selecting: Self-Service > My Preferences and Agreements tile > Confidentiality Agreement.
- Complete your Federal Tax Form – W4 – online in the Self-Service section.
- Electronically sign off on Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) (HarvardKey required) document by responding to an automated email received on first day.
- Identify commuting options via Commuter Choice or Parking Services.
- Review Harvard's Information Security Policy and read the Policy Statements, Requirements, and How To’s.
- Enroll in MessageMe Emergency Notification System.
- Familiarize yourself with the HU Police Department site.
- Meet with your manager. This will be a great chance to discuss performance goals and recurring meetings and to learn about your team's needs. Review and sign your Job Description.
- Discuss with your manager any training, Center for Workplace Development (CWD) courses, or courses recommended for your role.
- Review Retirement Programs and enroll in a Tax-Deferred Account for retirement savings (OPTIONAL).
- Complete the New Employee Orientation course in the Harvard Training Portal, once your Harvard Key has been established — usually on your first day.
Where can I find helpful resources?
- Benefits Office - 617-496-4001, benefits@harvard.edu
- Central Payroll - 617-495-8500
- UIS Help Desk (computer, email, systems-related problems) - 617-495-7777
- Harvard's Employee Assistance Program (HarvardKey required)
- Harvard University Intranet (HARVie) (HarvardKey required)
- Harvard University Overview
- University Health Services
- Ombuds
- Outings and Innings (HarvardKey required)