Onboarding at ESDC: Pre-arrival checklist
Pre-arrival checklist
Most onboarding activities take place after you begin working. However, the pre-arrival checklist outlines several important steps you can follow leading up to your first day.
Discuss with your hiring manager
Your hiring manager (or equivalent contact) has likely already contacted you about the preliminary job offer and arranged a start date. This is the go-to person to support your onboarding activities.
- Your hiring manager should discuss the details of your work arrangement with you, as well as your individual circumstances and preferences while taking into account business requirements. Find out if you will be working on-site, off-site (telework/remote work) or through a hybrid model (working from a combination of more than one work location).
- Stay in regular contact with your manager if there's a long period between the job offer and the start date.
- It may be too early to know if you need workplace accommodation but take the time to speak to your new manager about the workplace and any potential workplace accommodation.
- Workspace setups will vary on a case-by-case basis. If you foresee the need for specific equipment to carry out your duties, please discuss it with your hiring manager as soon as possible.
- Before your first day, make sure you have :
- Clear instructions about what to do.
- Contact information for your arrival should it be virtual or in-person.
- For questions or concerns not covered on this site, don't hesitate to contact your hiring manager.
Check your e-mail for important documents and communications
During your hiring process, you should have provided your ESDC contact with a primary e-mail address. Check this e-mail account regularly for key messages.
The following list includes some examples of communications and documents you should receive before your arrival. Depending on your work arrangements, some of these items may not apply to you. When in doubt, ask your hiring manager.
- Letter of offer package from your manager
- Instructions for obtaining your IT equipment from your manager or a delegated IT technician
- Network access information
- Reference materials related to your role and organization:
- Phone list
- Organizational chart with titles
- Staff lists or other contact lists or both
- Voicemail and email instructions
- Job description
Getting your technology (IT) equipment and network access
Whether you will be working on-site, off-site (telework/remote work), or through a hybrid model, your hiring manager (or equivalent contact) will ensure you receive the tools and equipment you need for work.
Please discuss the following with your hiring manager as soon as possible:
- Need for specific equipment.
- Any other circumstance that may affect your ability to carry out your regular duties.
Once you get your IT equipment, follow the enclosed instructions to finish setting up your computer and access the ESDC corporate network. Make sure you have a stable internet connection if accessing the network remotely.
Technical support
If you are having trouble setting up your workstation or logging onto the network, contact your hiring manager. They may open a service ticket on your behalf or ask you to contact the National Service Desk.
If you already have your computer, the National Service Desk toll-free number is on the login screen. Service times may vary depending on request volume so make sure your hiring manager is aware of the technical issue(s). They may be able to support you.
Personal media devices are not permitted
Never connect personal media devices to your ESDC workstation computers or laptops, even for charging purposes. Examples of personal media devices include USB keys, mobile phones, or any other external storage device. Your hiring manager may direct you to more resources on our corporate IT security policy.
Get to know ESDC and other aspects of your employment
Departmental information
- Employment and Social Development
- Labour Program
- Service Canada
- Mandate
- Departmental Plans
- Read about our Leaders
Other resources
Diversity and inclusion
The Department is committed to having a skilled, inclusive and diversified workforce, which is representative of the Canadians we serve.
We encourage all employees to fill in or review their self-identification form in myEMS (PeopleSoft). They can voluntarily identify, as applicable, to one or more of the four (4) employment equity designated groups:
- Visible minorities
- Indigenous peoples
- Persons with disabilities
- Women
- 2SLGBTQIA+ community (a group that isn’t currently part of the Employment Equity Act)
You’ll be able to access the form once you have your ESDC network access.
At ESDC, we believe that everyone deserves the same opportunities, chance at success, and ability to take part fully in society without barriers. We want to make sure all our employees and our executives reach their full potential. We can't wait to work with you to achieve this vision!
Accessibility
In June 2019, the Accessible Canada Act received Royal Assent. The Act establishes a framework to create a barrier-free Canada by identifying, removing and preventing barriers to accessibility. It will also protect people with disabilities from barriers to accessibility on an individual basis. Millions of Canadians with disabilities can rely on the Government of Canada to remove the barriers that hinder their full participation in society. Learn more about accessibility at ESDC.
Compensation and benefits
Collective agreements
Pay
- Pay for the public service
- How public service pay works
- Rates of pay for public service employees
- Occupational groups
- Pay dates
Benefits
- Disability Insurance Plan
- Public Service Dental Care Plan
- Public Service Health Care Plan
- Public Service Management Insurance Plan (Only applies to executives, excluded, and unrepresented employees)
- Public Service Pension Plan, including the Supplementary Death Benefit
Leave and vacation
Pensions
Download the MyESDC mobile app
The MyESDC App provides important Government of Canada information to:
- Public servants
- Members of the public interested in joining ESDC
- Anyone interested in knowing more about the department
Download the app from the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.
Explore (and join) our networks and communities!
Here is a list of ESDC employee networks you can join when you begin working. Not all networks have an external web presence. Once you have access to our internal department site (iService), you can learn more about each network.
National networks
- Association of Professional Executives
- Black Employee Network (BEN)
- Black Engagement and Advancement Team
- Employee Pride Network
- Employees with Disabilities Network (EwDN)
- ESDC Speakers Bureau
- ESDC Visible Minorities Network (VMN)
- Indigenous Employees’ Circle (IEC)
- The Student Network
- Women's Network (WN)
- Youth Mandate for Greater Involvement (YMAGIN)
Regional networks
- Administrative Professionals Network (APN)
- EDSC Managers' Community
- Team Leader Community of Practice
Our social media presence and employee conduct
Our department has a vibrant presence on social media. We encourage you to follow and connect with us!
As public servants, when using social media during our personal time we should:
- Not criticize the Government of Canada, ESDC or its policies.
- Uphold the political neutrality and impartiality of the federal public service.
- Respect confidentiality and privacy.
- Never sign your personal messages with your departmental title.
Refer to Guideline on Acceptable Network and Device Use for more information on social media usage guidelines for public servants.
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