D14. Employee Induction

D14.1 Introduction
D14.2 Policy statement
D14.3 Procedures
    D14.3.1 Purpose
    D14.3.2 Principles
    D14.3.3 Definitions
    D14.3.4 Advice to new employees
    D14.3.5 Work unit induction
    D14.3.6 Campus induction
    D14.3.7 Record of induction
    D14.3.8 Induction refresher
Table 1 Minimum Induction standards for USQ employees

D14.1 Introduction

D14.2 Policy statement

All new employees to the University will participate in an induction programme to assist the employees to adjust to their new responsibilities and work environment.

(Approved by Council June 1998)

D14.3 Procedures

D14.3.1 Purpose

D14.3.1(a) To ensure all employees are effectively and efficiently introduced to their new positions and the relevant policies, systems and processes of the University in order to perform and develop in their roles.

D14.3.2 Principles

D14.3.2(a) All newly appointed employees will participate in an induction program that provides them with information and support sufficient for them to undertake their new role in the University.  The induction program will be conducted over their initial period of employment.

D14.3.2(b) It is the responsibility of the Manager/Supervisor to provide new employees with the appropriate induction program in accordance with this policy.  Managers/Supervisors are to ensure new employees receive the required paid release from work to participate in induction activities. Managers / Supervisors will be responsible for ensuring that newly appointed general and academic employees are provided with the relevant induction program as indicated in Table 1 and that this program is completed in a timely manner.

D14.3.3 Definitions

D14.3.3(a) Induction.  Induction is a process whereby an employee is provided with access to appropriate information and support required to operate effectively in their appointed position.  This information may include general information related to appointment and the University, workplace health and safety, equal employment opportunity, learning and teaching and relevant policies, procedures and expectations of the University.

D14.3.4 Advice to new employees

D14.3.4(a)   Human Resources will normally inform all new employees prior to their commencement, of the requirement to participate in an induction program.  Appropriate documentation will be provided to the employee in order to have this completed in a timely manner.

D14.3.4(b) Employees at USQ who take on additional employment opportunities within the University must participate in a separate local and site specific induction program with their Manager/Supervisor which is reflective of their new role.

D14.3.5 Work unit induction

D14.3.5(a) New employees will report to their work unit on their first day, and will participate in a commencement of work induction program.  An Induction Checklist is used as a basis for the induction which covers completion of commencement documentation, explanation of workplace health and safety guidelines, emergency procedures, work unit operations of immediate concern and an overview of key University employment practices.

D14.3.5(b) All employees must be appropriately trained and briefed on workplace health and safety requirements and specific training for their job before commencing work.  For most employees, this means they must attend an onsite workplace health and safety induction on their first day of employment and complete the online Staff Safety Induction.  The onsite induction must include all appropriate job specific training that the employee may require.  Examples include manual handling training for employment which involves lifting or training in emergency procedures for employees working in a different building.  Managers/Supervisors are encouraged to contact USQSafe for clarification of the training which may be required.

D14.3.5(c)  In instances where the online Staff Safety Induction may not be expedient or appropriate, Managers/Supervisors can arrange an equivalent Staff Safety Induction, for example a group face to face briefing by an appropriate person covering all the required topics or provision of an Induction booklet as approved by USQ Safe.  Appropriate records must be kept of the training provided and the names of all attendees.

D14.3.5(d)  All employees are required to be active participants throughout their induction. This includes seeking additional information, assistance and clarification if required.

D14.3.6 Campus induction

D14.3.6(a)  Where applicable, new employees will also receive an operational induction specific to their Campus.  This will cover issues which are specific to each Campus such as facilities use, security, lockdown procedures, teaching technologies, line management and governance procedures and any other Campus specific processes, procedures and issues required for efficient and effective operation. 

D14.3.6(b)  The duration and delivery of the operational Campus induction will vary dependent upon the employee's employment category, however for academic employees must occur prior to commencement of teaching duties.

D14.3.7 Record of induction

D14.3.7(a) The Manager/Supervisor will sign off the completion of the work unit induction program and return the Induction Checklist to Human Resources.  Human Resources will input the information on PeopleSoft and store the documentation on the employee's personal file.

D14.3.7(b)  A record must be kept of all safety induction training.  Records are kept centrally by USQ Safe for the online staff safety induction.

D14.3.8 Induction refresher

D14.3.8(a) Employees are required to refresh their staff safety induction program annually.  All other induction information may be required to be refreshed every two years.

Table 1 Minimum Induction Standards for USQ Employees

¹ Note: casual academic employees who may be employed across more than one category (eg marker and tutor) must complete the minimum induction standard for both categories of appointment. 

Online learning and teaching induction Modules are available via USQStudyDesk.  The program is structured into seven (7) modules, each of which takes approximately 30 minutes to complete.  All casual academic employees must also complete Module 1: Course Introduction which takes approximately 15 minutes.  Employees will need to complete the Quiz at the end of each Module and the Feedback section following completion of all required Modules.