Manager's guidance on induction: introduction

The success of the University of York depends upon our ability to recruit and retain excellent people at every level. An effective induction:

• can make the difference between retaining or losing good staff
• is likely to shape the inductee’s ability to do the job successfully
• in addition is likely to shape their perception of the role, the department and also the University itself
• can provide clarity on expectations regarding performance.

A key principle of the University’s staff development policy [pdf] is that 'all staff receive an appropriately organised University and local induction in a timely fashion'. This theme is developed in our policy on induction. The framework is designed to provide guidance as to how the manager can help to ensure that the induction is both timely and effective.

There are many examples of Induction good practice across the University. On the HR web site there is a variety of material that can help you, in particular an induction checklist [pdf] designed to identify the main activities which are likely to be required as part of the Induction. The checklist is not meant to be an exhaustive list and can be amended to reflect individual or departmental requirements. It also reflects the fact that much useful induction can begin before a person’s first day at work. However, Induction is much more than the completion of a series of activities outlined on a checklist, and we hope here to provide a broad framework for the induction of new staff by addressing a number of key issues which will be relevant to those involved.

This framework is particularly relevant to staff that are new to the University of York, whether on permanent or fixed term contracts. For new international staff a number of additional considerations may be relevant. Much of it may also be relevant to existing staff that are new to a particular role. The induction of existing staff is covered more specifically in the final section: Staff new to a role but not to the University.