Peer Onboarding Program Expectations and Resources
OIT employees will be expected to apply and receive supervisor/manager approval to participate in the program as a peer guide. No more than two new hires may be assigned to a peer at any given time. All new hires will be assigned a peer guide. New hires should be paired with peers outside of their team, and will be paired with staff at a similar professional level.
Time Commitment
- Peer guides will commit to a total of six hours of meeting time within the employee’s first three months. Additional time can be added as needed or agreed upon by both the peer and the new hire.
- The first meeting will be scheduled by OIT HR, on behalf of the peer and new hire. Peer guides should also contact their assigned new employee prior to the first meeting to introduce themselves and kick off the relationship.
Continuance and Completion
- To support the new hire’s onboarding, it is critical that pairs maintain the relationship for a minimum of 3 months, and up to 6 months – except in extenuating circumstances or mutually agreed upon early expiration.
Communication, Check-in, and Confidentiality
- Pairs to agree upon methods and frequency of communicating and checking in – setting standards with the intention of fostering and maintaining appropriate communication and overall partnership.
- Pairs are encouraged to have a code of conduct conversation during their first meeting.
Some suggestions for terms include:- All questions are encouraged – there is no question too small or silly
- Confidentiality should be mutually agreed upon by both parties
- Peers should discuss and be committed to being open and honest with one another