New Starter Checklist for Shift Workers (Hospitality and Retail Template)
30 October 2026 · The Rosterly team · 4 min read
A new starter checklist for hospitality and retail covers four stages: paperwork before day one, setup on the first shift (logins, roster access, keys), training with a buddy over the first weeks, and a check-in at the end of the first month. Roster new starters alongside experienced staff, tag their skills only once they're trained, and give them the policies they need to acknowledge.
New starters in shift teams often learn on the busiest day with nobody free to show them. A short checklist makes the first weeks calmer and helps them stay. Use the template below and adapt it.
Before day one: paperwork
The legal paperwork depends on where you are:
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Australia: the Fair Work Ombudsman says every new employee must get the Fair Work Information Statement before, or as soon as possible after, they start. Casuals must also get the Casual Employment Information Statement at the same time, and again later in their employment.
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United Kingdom: GOV.UK says employers must give a written statement of employment particulars, with the principal statement on the first day of employment.
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United States: employers complete Form I-9 to verify identity and employment authorisation for each new hire; check USCIS's I-9 Central for the deadlines.
Plus the usual: tax and banking details, superannuation, pension or retirement choices, emergency contacts and any right-to-work checks.
Day one: setup
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Logins: invite them to your rostering app so they can see their shifts.
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Their roster: show them where their shifts are, how to request leave or cover, and how to clock in.
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Keys and codes: only if their role needs them.
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Uniform and equipment.
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A tour: fire exits, first aid kit, staff room, where to put belongings.
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Introductions to whoever is on shift.
The first two weeks: training with a buddy
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Roster a buddy. Put new starters on shifts with an experienced colleague who's been asked to help, not just whoever's on.
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Avoid the peak at first. If you can, start them on a quieter shift before the Saturday rush.
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Train one skill at a time. Register, then floor, then coffee.
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Tag skills only when trained. Don't add "barista" or "closer" until they've done it under supervision. That way the roster won't send them to a shift they can't do. Our skills-based scheduling guide explains why.
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Certificates: check any required certificates (such as alcohol service or food safety) before rostering them on shifts that need them.
Policies to share
Give new starters the policies that affect their shifts and ask them to acknowledge them:
Name: Start date:
Role: Manager / buddy:
BEFORE DAY ONE
[ ] Contract or offer signed
[ ] Required information statement or written statement given (check local rules)
[ ] Tax, bank and retirement or super details collected
[ ] Right-to-work or identity checks done
[ ] Emergency contact collected
[ ] Invited to the rostering app
DAY ONE
[ ] Shown their shifts, and how to request leave or cover
[ ] Shown how to clock in, take breaks and clock out
[ ] Uniform and equipment given
[ ] Tour: exits, first aid, staff room
[ ] Introduced to the team on shift
FIRST TWO WEEKS
[ ] Rostered with a buddy on at least the first three shifts
[ ] Trained on: _______________________
[ ] Skills added to their profile once trained: _______________________
[ ] Certificates checked: _______________________
[ ] Policies read and acknowledged
END OF FIRST MONTH
[ ] Check-in conversation: what's going well, what's hard
[ ] Availability and preferred hours confirmed
[ ] Next skills to learn agreed
Replace the words in [square brackets] for your business.
Get new starters on the roster on day one
Invite new starters to Rosterly by email; they see their shifts on their phone, and skills are checked before they're assigned. 14-day free trial, no card needed.