Starting a new job can be a stressful experience and new employees need help to settle in. The University’s induction programme will provide new employees with all of the necessary information, including local welcome events and activities.
The induction you will receive in your local department/institution will enable you to:
- Meet your key colleagues;
- Find your way around your workplace;
- Understand your terms and conditions of employment;
- Understand your role, key responsibilities and how you fit into your department/institution;
- Know what is expected of you and the way in which your work will be monitored;
- Know how you will be managed and supported to carry out your duties;
- Access University and local policies and procedures; and
- Identify any training and development needs that have to be met to enable you to undertake your role effectively.
At the beginning of your induction, you will be provided with an Employee Induction Checklist (HR24). You can work through this with your line manager (or the person responsible for your induction) and use it as a prompt for ensuring that key aspects of your induction are covered. The Employee Induction Checklist should be completed within your first month and then provided to your department/institution administrator or other appropriate support staff for retention on your local personal file. The checklist also explains how and when you can take part in the University's two-stage induction. These stages are as follows:
Induction Online
The Induction Online programme is a quick and easy web resource to help you to understand how the University operates and what it's like to work here. It also provides you with essential information on the benefits, entitlements, support services and opportunities available to you as a member of University staff. To access this resource you will need a Raven password.
We also provide a range of essential information through online learning packages. These cover various topics, including induction, equal opportunities and health and safety. Details can be found here.
Welcome to Cambridge
The Welcome to Cambridge event, hosted by Personal and Professional Development (PPD) includes a welcome from a senior member of the University and the opportunity to network with other new colleagues, whilst learning some key facts about the University. Refreshments will be available during the event, with updates on the wide range of opportunities and sources of support offered by the University. Welcome to Cambridge is held once each term.
Academic Life at Cambridge
Academic Life at Cambridge is a range of supporting documents and information for; University Lecturers, Senior University Lecturers, Readers, Professors and Senior Fellows, which complements the local induction. It includes:
- One-stop, self-directed academic induction modules with signposted links to university-wide resources, mapped to the Academic Career Pathways (ACP) scheme
- “New Academic Staff Welcome” (event held annually in October) highlighting the University’s strategic context and culture of inclusivity, diversity and wellbeing (invitation to follow)
You can access this resource by clicking the link above. When using this for the first time, please use your CRSid@cam.ac.uk email address.
Postdoc Welcome Events
The Postdoc Academy runs welcome events for all new postdocs, whether they hold a contract with the University, a Partner Institute or a College. It is mandatory for postdocs to attend one of these events during their time at Cambridge.
These events provide information on how the University operates, and the wide range of opportunities and services available within the University that can specifically help postdocs. There is also an opportunity to ask questions directly to representatives from these services and to meet other new postdocs
For further information about this event please click here.
Technician Induction
The technical family of jobs comprises of a vast and diverse array of specialist skills and knowledge that underpin the work of the University and provide vital support across our organisation.
In recognition of this the University is a founding signatory of the Technician Commitment, a sector wide initiative led by the Science Council and supported by the Gatsby foundation. It is a pledge to recognise, support and develop our technical staff, including their induction. Please click here for more information about Technician Induction support.