E2 Induction

Background

There are two parts to induction:

• Corporate induction for new staff joining DFID
• Induction to post by Line Manager - for new staff or existing staff who are moving post.

Induction by Line Manager

Line managers are responsible for induction to post. This is key to helping new staff settle in, learn about their specific role and responsibilities and become effective in their post. It should include detailed discussions about their role, their specific responsibilities (including their compliance responsibilities), their initial objectives and work priorities, and when and how their progress will be reviewed.

The Line Manager guide to Induction provides a detailed checklist of areas line managers must cover during the induction period.

Corporate Induction

For staff in the UK the Learning and Development (L&D) team are responsible for delivering a corporate induction for new staff. Line managers are responsible for ensuring that all new entrants attend the Corporate Induction course within ten weeks of joining DFID. L&D provide Corporate Induction in Palace Street or Abercrombie House several times annually, depending on demand.

The Corporate Induction programme developed by L&D provides an introduction to working in DFID and covers, among other things:

• Development assistance and DFID
• View from the Management Board
• The Civil Service Code and the Blue Book
• Performance management
• DFID and Multilaterals
• Diversity
• Changes to DFID
• Knowledge and Information

It is also an opportunity to network with colleagues from other parts of DFID. As part of this process, all induction participants will receive an Induction Pack.

New overseas staff are able to attend the Corporate Induction course in the UK if they are already in the country for other purposes. The L&D Advisor for Country Programmes is currently developing an integrated Induction pack (expected early 2011).

Compliance Tasks

Line managers must:

• Plan an induction to post programme for all new staff, or existing staff who are moving post.
• Recommend new staff complete the e-learning modules within ten weeks of arrival and attend the corporate induction course. New staff overseas should attend the Induction course as early as possible.

Task assigned to: Line Manager

Risks of non-compliance

• Risk of DFID being taken to employment tribunal where an individual is dismissed and has not received induction to department and/or job, or has not been made aware of their compliance responsibilities
• Staff unaware of their responsibility under legislation
• Staff do not quickly become confident and effective in their new role