Dodge Thousands in Fines, Keep Great Staff: Onboarding Checklist

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Skipping key onboarding steps also sets the stage for disengagement, early exits, and repeat hiring cycles that cost over $6k per job advertised. It’s a cycle most small businesses can’t afford to repeat, but when a new starter’s first few weeks are disorganised or unsupported, that’s exactly what it can lead to.

Fortunately, our onboarding checklist is designed to help you steer clear of both compliance

penalties and costly staff turnover by tackling some of the most common onboarding pitfalls:

• Skipping written employment agreements
• Delaying payroll, timesheet or KiwiSaver setup
• Forgetting to provide a KiwiSaver information pack
• Not confirming a new employee’s right to work
• Dropping the ball on day-one tech, training and peer support
• Failing to support new employees with training and clear expectations

From legal must-haves to day-one basics, this checklist is your go-to guide for getting onboarding right – without the stress, guesswork or risk. Use it every time you bring someone new on board; it could save you thousands in fines and help new hires stick around for the long haul.

Disclaimer: The information in this checklist and associated article is relevant as at 17 June 2025 and has been prepared by Employment Hero Pty Ltd ABN (11 160 047 709) (Employment Hero). The views expressed herein are general information only and are provided in good faith to assist employers and their employees. The information is based on data supplied by third parties. While such data is believed to be accurate, it has not been independently verified and no warranties are given that it is complete, accurate, up to date or fit for the purpose for which it is required. Employment Hero does not accept responsibility for any inaccuracy in such data. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Employment Hero will not be liable to any party in contract, tort (including for negligence) or otherwise for any loss or damage arising either directly or indirectly as a result of reliance on, use of or inability to use any information provided in this checklist and associated article. Where liability cannot be excluded by law then, to the extent permissible by law, liability is limited to the resupply of the information or the reasonable cost of having the information re-supplied.