Template Library
Onboarding Checklist Template
An Excel workbook for onboarding a new employee through their first 90 days: tasks by phase and owner, due dates that calculate from the start date, and completion by phase.
The Employee tab holds the start date, the manager and buddy, and the 30, 60, and 90-day goals. The Checklist tab is an Excel Table of 24 starter tasks across six phases (before day one, day one, week one, 30, 60, and 90 days), each with an owner. Due dates calculate from the start date and a days offset, and Days Overdue flags tasks that have slipped.
The Summary tab shows completion by phase and overall, the number of overdue tasks, and a chart. The tasks are a starting point: edit them to fit your organization and role.
What Is Included in the Workbook
| Sheet | Purpose | What Teams Capture |
|---|---|---|
| How-To | Guidance and disclaimer | Steps, notes, and privacy guidance |
| Employee | Start details and goals | Start date, manager, buddy, HR contact, and 30, 60, and 90-day goals |
| Checklist | Task tracker (Excel Table) | Phase, task, owner, days from start; due date and days overdue calculate; status and completion date |
| Summary | Live rollup and chart | Tasks and completion by phase, overall completion, overdue tasks |
Key Features Inside the Template
Due Dates From the Start Date
Change the start date once and every task's due date moves with it, including tasks that must happen before day one.
Clear Ownership
Each task has an owner, such as HR, the manager, IT, or the buddy, so nothing falls between departments.
30-60-90 Goals
A place to write the goals for each period, so expectations are agreed early and reviewed at check-ins.
Completion by Phase
A summary and chart show which phases are on track and which tasks are overdue.
Best Use Cases
- Onboarding a new hire in an office, plant, warehouse, or lab
- Standardizing onboarding across supervisors so the first weeks do not depend on luck
- Tracking a cohort of new hires that start on the same date
- Reviewing onboarding after early exits to see what was missed
How to Use the Template Effectively
- Enter the start date and the names or IDs your policy allows, and write the 30, 60, and 90-day goals with the manager.
- Edit the checklist to fit the role, and remove or mark not applicable any task that does not apply.
- Assign the tasks that come before day one at least a week ahead.
- Update status weekly, and hold the 30, 60, and 90-day check-ins as scheduled.
- Ask the new hire for feedback at 90 days, and use it to improve the checklist.
Who Should Use This Template
- HR and people-operations staff standardizing onboarding
- Managers and supervisors welcoming new team members
- Trainers and buddies supporting new hires
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Sending the new hire's equipment order the week they start
- Leaving onboarding entirely to the supervisor's memory
- Skipping the check-ins once the first week is over
- Treating the checklist as paperwork instead of a conversation
Important Notes
Onboarding Checklist Template Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the phases or tasks?
Yes. Edit any task, owner, or offset, and add rows by dragging the table's resize handle and copying the Due date and Days overdue formulas. The Summary counts the six standard phases, so if you rename a phase, update the phase list on the Summary tab and in the drop-down.
What does a negative days offset mean?
It means the task is due before the start date, for example -7 is one week before day one. Tasks such as equipment orders and access requests should have negative offsets so they are ready when the person arrives.
Does this workbook contain employee data?
Only what you type into it. Use initials or an ID if your policy requires, keep the file secure, and follow your organization's privacy and records rules.