Onboarding Employees

There are a number of steps to onboard new employees. To assist with the process, MakeWay has an Orientation Check List for Managers and an Onboarding Checklist for New Employees. 

On an employee's first day, Project Directors (or assigned supervisors) will want to ensure they address the following items:

Step 1: Review MakeWay policies and practices

Ensure that new employees understand the MakeWay Core Policies and review the MakeWay Employee Handbook with them.

Step 2: Review Project-specific policies and practices

Some Projects establish policies and practices that are supplemental to those required by MakeWay. Examples include:

  • Alternate schedules for office closures.
  • Additional paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave entitlements.
  • Optional benefits such as RRSPs, paid parental leave, paid family leave, professional development, tuition reimbursement, sabbaticals, etc.

Ensure that new employees understand the Project-specific policies and practices that apply to them. 

Step 3: Review workplace health and safety standards

MakeWay and all Projects must make every effort to provide work environments that comply with provincial occupational health and safety standards. This includes taking all reasonable precautions to prevent or eliminate accidental injuries, occupational diseases, and risks to personal security.

Review the Project's safety plan with new employees and ensure they understand any hazards associated with the work they will perform, whether that is regular computer use, high-risk outdoor activities, or working in areas at risk for violence.

Step 4: Review applicable employee benefits

Permanent employees or employees with a fixed-term contract of one year or more, who work at least 20 hours per week, are eligible for the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), extended health, dental, and life insurance benefits for themselves and their dependents. Long-term disability insurance is only available to permanent employees or those with a fixed-term contract of at least two years.

Step 5: Review applicable employee training

MakeWay uses HR Downloads to manage its online employee training portal.

On their first payday, employees receive an email from HR Downloads prompting them to log in to the training portal and begin mandatory compliance training. Employees must complete this training within 2 months of receiving their login information. Project Directors can contact People Engagement and Learning to request a summary of training completed by employees.

Employees also have free access to an extensive library of optional training modules on workplace wellness, leadership, email writing and etiquette, health and safety at work, and much more. A list of all training modules is available in the People Engagement and Learning section of the document library on the Project Portal. Contact People Engagement and Learning to request access to these optional training modules.

Step 6: Set employee up on necessary systems

When onboarding an employee, Projects should ensure they have access to all systems they will need to complete their work. In most cases, this will include an e-mail account and any document storage systems. 

In addition, Project employees may need access to MakeWay systems such as Concur or Box. If a new employee will need access to Box, please notify the Support Team. If an new employee will need access to Concur, please complete the Concur Set Up Form and e-mail it to the Finance Specialist. 

MakeWay will automatically give all new employees access to Dayforce, which is used for human capital management.