新人报到百科：入职第一天该问HR的几个问题

Your first day on the job can be hectic. Learning new names, faces and positions can fill the entire day, with no time to learn about other issues. However, there are several questions you should ask your human resources manager whenever you start a new job. On the night before your first day, review all your pre-employment materials and documents. Write down the questions that come to mind. Remember, questions you want to ask your human resources manager may also be asked of another member of the human resources staff in case the manager is unavailable.

Employee Handbook

Your new employer should have an employee handbook that contains general information about the workplace. The handbook won't contain every single detail about the company and what it expects of employees; however, it should contain general information every new employee should know on the first day. Study the employee handbook and become familiar with the policies. While you're reading it, note any topics you need further clarification on such as performance management, attendance, promotions, salary adjustments or workplace safety.

Your human resources manager will be impressed if you ask about performance management and how the company addresses performance expectations. Importantly, you will learn more about how best to perform your job so you build a strong employment record with the company. Performance management begins with the job description. Therefore, ask your HR manager if the job description you were provided during the selection process is current and if it contains as many of the job details as possible. In addition, ask for a job specifications sheet. Although you should have been provided with the job specifications prior to accepting your position, ensure you have an accurate list of the physical and mental requirements for your job.

On the first day of your employment with the company, you might not anticipate ever having issues the human resources department will need to address. However, it's important that you learn the process for reporting workplace incidents to your supervisor, your manager or the human resources department. Ask the HR manager about the process for reporting workplace incidents -- safety incidents or incidents related to workplace relationships. While you're discussing these processes, you should also ask how the company views workplace friendships. This may not be the time to ask about workplace relationships, but answers to your questions about fraternizing with other employees might segue into a discussion about how the company treats workplace relationships that cross the line of propriety. Review your employee handbook for additional information about the company's rules pertaining to employee fraternization.

Employee Referrals

Sometime during your employment, a job opening might occur that would be perfect for a friend or relative. Many employers find that employee referrals are often the best recruitment source for qualified, reliable applicants. Ask if there are benefits for referring friends or relatives for employment. Likewise, ask if there are any rules against employing relatives within the same company -- some employers prohibit family members from working together and most employers prohibit family members being in positions where they are under the direct supervision of another family member.