Welcome to the School of Medicine and Public Health at the University of Wisconsin-Madison!
With your acceptance of our employment offer, you join many dedicated faculty and staff working together to advance health without compromise through service, scholarship, science, and social responsibility.
Starting a new job is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming with so many tasks to complete. To make this process easier, we’ve outlined a general onboarding timeline for your new role at SMPH. Please note that this timeline serves as a baseline for most new hires—some tasks may not apply to your position. Additionally, your department may have specific steps or deadlines not listed here. For a personalized list of required tasks, please refer to the welcome email sent by your HR Operations Coordinator.
Questions about your onboarding process?
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Activate or modify your UW NetID
Your NetID is your digital login for many UW services, such as your email and time and absence reporting, and will be used for several other tasks during your onboarding process.
If you do not already have a UW NetID
You will need to activate your NetID using the activation key in the email from your HR Operations Coordinator.
If you already have a UW NetID from a previous appointment or academic enrollment
You will need to modify your NetID to ensure that you have access to all of the appropriate services for your new appointment. After logging in with your NetID, click the "Activate Services" button.
If you need assistance with your NetID, contact the Department of Information Technology (DoIT) Help Desk.
Consent to background check
Your employment at UW-Madison is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check, which will be facilitated by UW-Madison contracted third party vendor HireRight. You will receive a separate email from HireRight with instructions to provide information and consent through HireRight's secure background check website. You will need to log in to provide additional information and consent to the check.
If you have lived outside of the United States within the past seven (7) years, please notify your HR Operations Coordinator as soon as possible to ensure that the appropriate international background check can be ordered.
Prior To Your Start Date
Please note that a few of these tasks require a UW NetID. If you have not already completed the appropriate action for your UW NetID from the section above, please do that first. There is a 24-hour period after you create a new NetID before it can be used to log in to campus systems.
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Schedule appointment to complete Form I-9 - Section 2, online
Schedule your virtual I-9 Section 2 Employment Verification appointment through your SMPH HR Operations coordinator's booking link found in your “Action Required: SMPH / UWMF New Employee Onboarding Information” email.
- As required by federal law, your I-9 Form must be completed within 3 business days after your start date.
- You must show unexpired and original acceptable I-9 documents.
- A calendar invite will be emailed after booking the appointment that includes the Meeting ID and Passcode for the meeting.
- If you cannot find a time slot that works for you, please contact your HR Operations Coordinator using the contact information in your onboarding email.
- If you are not currently in possession of your documents, contact your HR Operations Coordinator immediately as not having the proper documents could cause a delay in your employment.
Plan your commute
UW-Madison offers many commuter solutions to accommodate the needs of a busy campus. Visit the UW-Madison Transportation Services New Employees page to learn about your options for commuting and parking. Parking can be limited and there may be a waiting period for the lot most convenient to your workplace, so we suggest you create a plan as soon as possible.
To apply for a parking permit, complete the steps found on the UW–Madison SMPH: Parking & Transportation website.
(Recommended) Register for UW-Madison New Employee Orientation
The UW-Madison Office of Human Resources hosts regular New Employee Orientation (NEO) sessions for all new UW-Madison employees. This session provides helpful information and resources available throughout the entire UW-Madison campus. We encourage you to register for a UW-Madison New Employee Orientation (NEO) session.
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Attend virtual appointment to complete Form I-9 - Section 2
Attend your virtual I-9 Section 2 appointment you scheduled earlier. Be sure to present your documents confirming the information in your I-9. If you cannot make your scheduled appointment, contact your HR Operations Coordinator immediately to create an alternative plan.
Set up direct deposit for paychecks
Note: you will not be able to complete this task before your start date.
UW-Madison requires all employees to set up paycheck direct deposit to avoid lost or stolen paper checks and to make payment as easy as possible. You can find instructions and additional information for setting up your direct deposit on the Office of Human Resources - Direct Deposit website. Please submit your direct deposit information through MyUW as described on the OHR Direct Deposit website rather than using paper forms. You will set up payment elections (direct deposit) information through Workday.
You may already see account information with a routing number of 071004200. This is the information for a U.S. Bank Focus Pay Card, which UW-Madison will send to your home address and deposit your paycheck onto if you do not enter your own account information.
Submit tax withholding information (W4) via MyUW
As a paid UW-Madison employee, you must complete forms to remove the appropriate withholding taxes from your paycheck.
Within your first three days, you must complete Federal Form W-4 and State/Local tax elections. You may complete both forms online in Workday and clicking on the Benefits and Pay Hub. You can update your tax elections at anytime.
If you have any questions, review UW-Madison’s Employee Tax Withholding website, and contact your Payroll & Benefits Specialist. Note that your Payroll & Benefits Specialist is not authorized to provide tax advice; they can only help you access and submit the form.
Review benefits options
Academic Staff and University Staff
Check with your Supervisor to see when you are attending Benefits 101. It is strongly recommended that you attend a UW-Madison OHR Benefits Session. There is also a video recording on the website if there are no times that work for you.
For more resources about benefits, please visit the Benefits For Employees Covered By The Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) page. Some benefits, such as health insurance, have a limited eligibility period during which you can enroll. If you do not enroll during this time, you will be unable to enroll in those benefits programs until the following open enrollment period.
Graduate Assistants, Fellows, Scholars, Short-Term Academic Staff, Lecturers and Employees-in-Training
For resources about your benefit options, visit the Benefit Plans for Appointees not covered by the Wisconsin Retirement System page for detailed information.
(If applicable) Sign SMPH Confidentiality Agreement and return to your HR Operations Coordinator
Your position might require you to access UW Health Systems. In order to be Compliance Certified for this access, you must sign and return the UW SMPH Confidentiality Agreement for UW Health Systems form to your HR Operations Coordinator.
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Complete UW-Madison HIPAA online training
All employees of the UW School of Medicine and Public Health are required to complete an online training regarding the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) before working with protected health information or within 5 days of starting their employment, whichever is sooner. You will be able to complete the training 24 hours after activating your NetID. The course is estimated to take you approximately 20-25 minutes to complete.
You will be required to complete an updated HIPAA training every year while you are an SMPH employee.
Get Your Wiscard photo ID
Your Wiscard is your campus photo ID and some campus services depend on you getting your Wiscard. For the most up-to-date information about Wiscard office hours and requirements, visit the Wiscard website.
You are required to wear your Wiscard or UW Health badge at all times, per SMPH Facilities policy.
Contact your supervisor if you require a UW Health badge or specific building access needs.
Review Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources policy
You will need to read and abide by the Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources policy.
(If applicable) Complete UW Health Safety and Infection Prevention (SIP) online training
Due to your in-person contact with UW Health patients or UW research participants, you are required to complete the UW Health Safety and Infection Prevention (SIP) online training.
(If applicable) Get cleared for tuberculosis (TB)-relevant work
Due to your contact with UW Health patients or UW research participants, you will need to be cleared for TB-relevant work by UW Occupational Medicine. Please visit the Compliance page for detailed instructions to get TB-relevant work clearance.
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Complete Professional Conduct online training
SMPH is deeply committed to building community in an environment that optimizes learning, supports social impact and belonging, and maintains a culture of respect for everyone. To ensure that the entire SMPH community holds the same expectations for these values, all appointees are required to complete a brief online training. The training is expected to take less than 10 minutes to complete.
(If applicable) Submit Remote Work Agreement request and review remote work resources
If you will be working remotely, you must submit a Remote Work Agreement (RWA). You can access the request form beginning on your start date.
Submit an RWA request
- Go to your Personal Details page.
- Select the Remote Work Agreement option from the left menu.
- Read the information on the Remote Work Landing Page.
- Select the Add a Remote Work Agreement option from the left menu to initiate a new request.
Remote work resources
- Employee Checklist for Completing a Remote Work Agreement (Office of Human Resources) - provides information, guidance, and potential action steps to help you prepare for successful completion of your Remote Work Agreement
- Remote Work: Guidance and Resources for Employees website (Office of Human Resources)
- SMPH Remote Work Guide website
Please contact your supervisor if you have questions about remote work.
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Enroll in or waive UW benefits
Note: you will not be able to complete this task before your start date.
You have 30 calendar days after your date of hire to enroll in New Hire Benefits. Late elections/applications will not be accepted.
Employees use an online benefits administration system called My Insurance Benefits to enroll in, review, or make changes to their benefits. Before you can log in to the My Insurance Benefits system for the first time, you must create a login (MyWisconsin ID) for the My Benefits account.
Complete Preventing Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence at UW-Madison online training
You will need to complete an online training on how to recognize, prevent, and respond to sexual assault and sexual violence in the workplace. Information about reporting options and campus and community resources to support individuals who have experienced sexual harassment or sexual violence are also provided. The course is estimated to take you approximately 60 minutes to complete.
This is a requirement every 4 years.
Complete Cybersecurity Awareness Training
Cybersecurity Awareness Training is mandatory per UWSA Policy 1032 for all employees (including undergraduate and graduate student employees), as well as retirees and those in unpaid positions who access UW–Madison information technology resources. This training must be completed annually. It is also available for all students.
There are two training options available (visual or text). You only need to complete ONE course.
(If applicable) Complete Title IX Responsible Employee online training
You have been identified as a Title IX Responsible Employee under the UW-Madison Policy on Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence. Title IX Responsible Employees have a duty to report to the Title IX Coordinator any information they receive that suggests a violation of the UW-Madison Policy on Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence has occurred or is occurring. Because of this designation, you are required to complete the Title IX Responsible Employee Training within thirty (30) days after starting your job.
This is an annual requirement.