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The first week

Last updated on December 6, 2024

 

Meet with your supervisor

 

When you arrive, either your supervisor or a 'welcome buddy' will meet you.

They will:

  • Take you on a tour of the building to find out where things are
  • Introduce you to other staff on your team and in your division
  • Chat with you about office culture like casual Fridays, social clubs, regular meetings or work style and workspace etiquette/expectations

Your supervisor will also review the plan for your first week and discuss:

At the end of the day, follow up with your supervisor to discuss how the day went. Be sure to mention if there's anything you need.

Get the tools you need to do your job

Your supervisor will make sure that you get:

  • A building pass and office keys
  • A laptop or computer and a phone
  • A printer key fob
  • Business cards
  • Office supplies

These items may not be ready on day one. Your supervisor can find out if there will be wait times.

Login with your IDIR

 

 

 

Your IDIR is an ID and password you use to log in to work devices and applications. Your supervisor will give you an IDIR and temporary password. When you log in for the first time, you'll need to change your password.

Once you're logged in, you can:

  • Check out folders and documents on the local area network (LAN)
  • Visit internal websites
  • Check your email
  • Add key dates to your calendar (remind your supervisor to forward meeting invites)

Validate your IDIR on your second day of work. Some government applications require you to validate your IDIR:

  • Go to the Time & Pay portal (IDIR restricted) > Self Service (PeopleSoft) tab > Choose the icon in the middle of the window > Select 'Click here'
  • Enter your employee number and birth date, then click 'Submit'
  • Wait 30 minutes and then return to Employee Self Service (IDIR restricted). You should see more menu options and features. If not, you can try to clear your cache. Go to the Time & Pay portal (IDIR restricted) > Self Service (PeopleSoft) tab > Find the yellow box with instructions to clear your cache
  • Some applications require an overnight refresh before you can access them. If you get errors accessing any sites, submit a service request to AskMyHR (IDIR restricted) > Myself (or) My Team or Organization > HR Software Systems Support > Other HR Technology Issues. Please note the PSA Learning System can take up to three to five business days to update.

Check out websites

Review the B.C. government website, your ministry website and your ministry intranet. A few other sites that you'll want to check out include:

  • Compass (IDIR restricted): An internal website for employees. Spend a bit of time looking through resources and articles on the website
  • Careers & MyHR: Find HR information, resources and services for the BC Public Service
  • My Service Centre (IDIR restricted): Get the technology you need to help you do your job
  • outlook.office.com (IDIR restricted): Outlook web app that allows you to access your email and calendar from a mobile device

Create your profile

Every employee has a profile to make it easier to connect with others across government. Make sure your contact information is current:

You may also want to remind your supervisor to add you to any distribution lists.

Know how to stay safe

During your tour of the building and workplace, you'll receive instructions on how to stay safe in an emergency. You should also take some time to review general health and safety standards for the workplace:

You should also find out who your ethics advisor is in case you need to talk to someone about ethical concerns or inappropriate behaviour.

Finish some essential paperwork

Forms are listed by topic below.

For fastest service, scan and submit forms via an online AskMyHR (IDIR restricted) service request.

Follow the directions on the form, or use the category Myself (or) My Team or Organization > Submit a Form or Document.

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Personal information

Provide your personal and contact info to get set up in human resources.

 

Benefits

Make sure you're enrolled!

This step is definitely no fun, but it’s essential. Getting enrolled is not automatic and it’s time sensitive.

If you're transferring between a bargaining unit and excluded position, enrol for the benefits program that corresponds to your new position.

Benefits for bargaining unit (union) employees

Find out how to complete your forms online. Save each form before you submit it.

Benefits for excluded (non-union) employees

Choose flexible benefits options and complete forms for excluded employees.

Benefits for auxiliary employees. Auxiliary employees can to enrol for benefits after completing 1,827 hours of work in 33 pay periods with the same ministry. Until then, they receive an allowance in lieu of benefits.

Learn more: Auxiliary Appointments FAQ.

Register for online access. Once you're enrolled for benefits, register for Canada Life GroupNet to get online access to check benefits info or submit claims.

 

Union dues

If you're a new bargaining unit employee, you need to authorize payment of your union dues as part of a collective agreement.

A signed copy of the form is to be retained in the ministry’s employee file only. Do not submit this form to AskMyHR.

 

Standards of Conduct

Public servants use Collective Agreements and ethics and Standards of Conduct to guide how they work. They're committed to delivering government services, programs and policies in ways that maintain and enhance the trust and confidence of British Columbians.

 

Appropriate use of information (IM/IT agreement)

 

 >> Next: The first month

Information for managers

Ask questions or get more information: Onboarding.Support@gov.bc.ca