Understanding new-hire questionnaire
A new-hire questionnaire collects the information needed to set up employment properly and personalise the onboarding experience. Gathering this before day one means payroll works, systems are ready, and you can tailor the welcome.
Questionnaire purposes
- Payroll and tax setup
- Emergency contacts
- Systems and access setup
- Personalised onboarding
Benefits
- Prepared first day
- Payroll ready to go
- Personalised welcome
- Compliance met
Information to collect
Essential information
Optional useful information:
- Preferred name: What they like to be called
- Dietary requirements: For team events, catering
- T-shirt size: For company merchandise
- Introduction info: Brief bio for team introduction
- Work preferences: Communication style, scheduling needs
Privacy matters
Only collect what you genuinely need. Australian Privacy Principles require you to explain why you're collecting information and limit collection to what's necessary. Be transparent about how information will be used and stored.
Best practices
Design
- Keep it concise
- Separate required from optional
- Explain why you're asking
- Use digital forms for efficiency
Administration
- Send before first day
- Store information securely
- Use information promptly
- Follow up on missing items
Common mistakes
Asking too much
Long questionnaires with unnecessary questions burden new hires and may breach privacy principles. Every question should have a clear purpose. If you won't use it, don't ask.
Not using the information
Collecting preferences then ignoring them. If you ask about dietary requirements, use that information when planning events. Unused collection feels pointless and wastes trust.
Poor timing
Sending questionnaire on first day when it should have been completed in advance. Payroll setup requires information before start date. Plan the timeline properly.
Key takeaways
New-hire questionnaires collect essential information for employment setup and onboarding personalisation. Keep forms concise, only collect what you need, respect privacy, send before day one, and actually use the information collected.
RosterElf's staff management helps Australian businesses collect employee availability and preferences for efficient scheduling from day one.
