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Overview
The New Hire Checklist is a simple but powerful tool to help startups and small businesses onboard employees confidently and compliantly. Whether you're hiring your first team member or scaling your workforce, this checklist ensures that you don't miss any of the essential legal and administrative steps required when bringing someone new onboard.
Use it as a standalone resource or as a companion to offer letters, employment agreements, and other onboarding documents in the Hiring Bundle.
What’s Included
Editable checklist in Word + PDF format
Covers:
Pre-hire compliance steps (offer letter, background checks, etc.)
Required forms (W-4, I-9, state notices)
Key agreements (IP assignment, confidentiality, arbitration, etc.)
First-day logistics and orientation items
Post-hire follow-ups and retention best practices
Attorney Notes included for several checklist items to explain why they matter and how they apply in California
Who It’s For
Startups hiring their first employees
Small businesses looking to formalize onboarding
HR teams that need a legally-informed but practical workflow
Founders who want to protect their business and avoid compliance mistakes
Why It Matters
Employee onboarding is more than just paperwork — it’s your first opportunity to establish legal clarity and professional culture. This checklist helps you stay compliant with California and federal law, avoid common hiring pitfalls, and create a smooth onboarding experience for your team.
It’s also a valuable internal tool when preparing for employment audits or legal diligence during fundraising or acquisition.