Overview
As a manager or supervisor you have an important role to play in assisting new staff members gain familiarity with their work environment and acquire a sense of belonging that will build their commitment to the University. This website resource is designed to help you effectively orient and induct new members of staff at Flinders University.
While each faculty, department and division of Flinders has particular needs which will shape staff induction practices, the guidelines set out below provide an overview of key issues and essential stages in an effective induction process. While it is ultimately the supervisor's responsibility to ensure new staff get the information and support they need, this does not mean you have to provide all of the information yourself. You may delegate some induction and orientation processes to other colleagues or administrative staff.
Stages of Induction
Orientation Snapshot - Induction Process for all New Staff (PDF 50KB) - includes induction process for new supervisors
What is Induction and Orientation and Why is it Needed? (PDF 19KB)
Stages of Induction - Pre-Employment (PDF 46KB)
Stages of Induction - First Day (PDF 42KB)
Stages of Induction - The End of the First Few Months (PDF 33KB)
Policies and Information
Supervisors may find the following useful when managing their new staff:
Reference Manual for SupervisorsA comprehensive manual covering the expectations of supervisors at Flinders University, Human Resources information, Occupational Health Safety, Welfare and Injury Management, valuing Equal Opportunity and Diversity, Compliance, Risk Management and Finance as well as crisis management and emergency procedures.
Staff Appointment Resource KitRecruitment, selection and appointment information and forms.
E-RecruitmentInformation about E-Recruitment, and how to view and print job applications.
Workstation ChecklistA checklist to help you to assist your new staff member to set up a safe workstation.
OH&S Orientation checklistGo through this with your new staff member on their first day. The new staff member and supervisor needs to sign the document, and the supervisor needs to retain the signed checklist in the new staff member's file.
Disability Action PlanA plan that describes the principles of ‘reasonable adjustment' and ‘reasonable accommodation' to allow wherever possible, necessary and reasonable adjustments to meet the needs of a person with a disability.
Employment Strategy for Indigenous AustraliansUseful information for managers regarding the Employment Strategy for Indigenous Australians.
List of HR AdvisersA list of HR Advisers by Faculty.
Human Resources FormsClick the links to download the desired form.
Training Needs AnalysisThis process will help you identify missing skills, knowledge or abilities needed in your new staff member's role, as well as determine ways to acquire them.
Performance ManagementInformation and templates for academic and professional staff undertaking Performance Management.
Risk ManagementSupervisors may need to refer to this policy when discussing activities, events and field trips being undertaken or organised by the new staff member.
Information about the Casual RegisterDesigned to assist supervisors in identifying casual general employees.
Engagement of Individuals as Independent ContractorsThis policy outlines the University's requirements for the engagement of individuals as independent contractors, in addition to identifying circumstances under which an independent contractor arrangement generally may, or may not, be entered into.
Contractor InductionResources to safely induct contractors.
Grievance ProceduresThis page outlines the procedures for dealing with staff grievances.
Discipline PoliciesThis page covers disciplinary procedures for unsatisfactory performance and misconduct of academic and professional staff members.
Classification, Reclassification and Role StatementsInformation about academic and professional staff classifications and workload management.
Employee Self Service loginUsed to approve staff leave applications and more.
Employment and Staffing PoliciesA useful list of employment and staffing policies and procedures.
Salary ScalesSalary Scales for Academic, Professional and Casual Staff.
EO PoliciesA list of Equal Opportunity policies.
OHS PoliciesA list of Health and Safety Policies.
Records ManagementPolicies and procedures regarding records management.
Computing and ICT PoliciesGuidelines on the acceptable use of ICT resources as well as links to Copyright information.
Financial PoliciesA list of finance-related policies.
When Staff Leave the University (PDF 22KB)Describes the process that needs to be followed when a staff member leaves the University.
Training For New Supervisors
Supervisor Skills CoursesThe Professional Development Unit provides a range of Leadership and Management training.
Equal Opportunity and Occupational Health and Safety and Injury Management online training packages.All new managers and supervisors are required to complete the OHS&IM online training package and the EO Fair Treatment at Work for Supervisors online training package. The training packages will take about two hours each. The EO course is also available as a hands-on course.
Strategies for Working with Sessional StaffThis workshop is recommended for new staff supervising/managing sessional staff.
Postgraduate Research Supervision ProgramAcademic staff, new to the supervision of higher degree research students, are required to participate in the Postgraduate Research Supervision Program.
Mandatory workshops for Supervisory StaffThe University recognises that to enhance supervisors' understanding and capacity to undertake the breadth of their responsibilities, appropriate training should be provided and undertaken. This is formally reflected in the Policy on Supervisors . For newly appointed supervisors, the expectation is that this training will be completed within the first six months of appointment, which would normally be the probation term, or within such other period as specified in the staff member's contract of employment. Supervisors who believe their recent training/experience should be taken into account in determining whether they are required to undertake this training, should first discuss this with their supervisor who, if he/she believes it is appropriate that the staff member's training/experience be recognised, should forward a brief recommendation and supporting statement to the Cost Centre Head for approval. Supervisors at Flinders University are required to undertake the following "core" (required) course:
