Human ResourcesNew Hire Guide: One to Six Months

Key Tasks

Benefits Paperwork (if applicable)
Must be completed within your first 30 days.  The next opportunity to make elections or changes is during Open Enrollment. Contact Philip Chapman-Bell, pcchapmanbell@amherst.edu, with questions.

• In Workday: Change Benefit Elections/Insurance & LTD Eligibility Questionnaire (Quick Reference Guides for Benefits on Workday)
  • Medical / Dental (Health Insurance)
  • Amherst Plan (Flexible Spending Plan)
  • Retirement Plan
  • Life Insurance

Connect With Your Supervisor (Staff Members Only)

Throughout your first month, if you have any questions or concerns regarding your schedule, work arrangements, tasks, etc., bring them to your supervisor in one-on-one meetings or via preferred mode of communication. 

Your supervisor will schedule a three and six month performance check-in. 

As part of your three and six month check-ins, discuss with your supervisor what learning opportunities would benefit you in your role and register for/attend workshops in that area. 

Learning & Development Offerings and Opportunities

Complete the required trainings. This must be done within the first 30 days.

• Title IX and Bystander Training
• Employee Sexual Respect Training 
• Environmental and Health Safety trainings (an invitation will be sent from notice@traincaster.com)
• IT Security Awareness Program (Amherst CyberSecurity Training invitation will be sent by email from the KnowBe4 platform)
• Compliance and Ethics Training 

Continue your role based training.

The Learning & Development team seeks to support the growth of the Amherst College staff and faculty and creates offerings which center individual growth, team development, and supervisory skill building.

Visit the Learning & Development Program website and register for/attend any workshops that are of interest to you and/or support you in reaching your goals.

The Office of Workforce Equity and Inclusive Leadership leverages diverse talents, experiences and perspectives of the Amherst College community to build an inclusive work culture. The office provides development opportunities for all staff members to grow in their understanding of identity and best practices for inclusion.

Visit the Workforce Equity and Inclusive Leadership Trainings website and register/attend any that are of interest to you.

The Center for Restorative Practices fosters an inclusive, engaging campus climate where all members have the tools and experiences necessary to engage in meaningful, restorative dialogue around community and conflict.

Visit the Restorative Practices Presentations, Trainings, and Circles website and register/attend any that are of interest to you.

Being Part of the Amherst College Community

Review Organizational Charts using Workday

Set up meetings with team members and individuals in other departments who you may work closely with (note: staff should work with their supervisor to identify who these people are)

Review the following pages that provide general campus contacts and bookmark any pages that may be of interest to you

• Offices & Departments
• Main Campus Contacts
• Campus Directory
• Campus Services
• Emergency Information

Learn about Amherst College

Learn about our College President and the Senior Administration

Learn about the Employee Council (staff)

Continue using the Amherst Appreciations Program

Attend a New Hire Meetup and/or the Staff & Faculty Community Gatherings

Additional resources you may find useful during your time at Amherst College.

Amherst College Initiatives

• Climate Action Plan
• Spring 2022 Community Sexual Respect and Sexual Misconduct Review
• Taking Action Against Racism

Benefits

Educational Assistance Program and/or taking classes at Amherst College

Holiday Schedule

Ombudsperson

Rental Properties Bulletin Board

Technical support / IT

Visual Identity Toolkit

Surrounding Community Resources

• Town & Valley: A sample of places to visit in the area 
• Valley Almanac 2022-2023 (compiled by the Daily Hampshire Gazette)
• Amherst Area Visitor Guide (Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce)