Seven Onboarding Essentials
Welcome to the University of Calgary! Before you get started with your onboarding checklist, first complete the following seven essential steps. These apply to all new UCalgary employees and must be completed first.
Step 1 | Note your UCalgary (UCID) number
Step 2 | Register for your IT Account
Step 3 | Enrol for Benefits
Step 4 | Plan to get to and around campus
Step 5 | Set up payroll details
Step 6 | Get your employee ID card (Unicard)
Step 7 | Register for required training and welcome sessions
Step 1 | UCID
Note your UCalgary ID (UCID) number.
Do this before your first day, after receiving UCID number by email.
You will receive an email from your manager or onboarding coordinator containing your unique employee UCID number as soon as it’s available. UCalgary employees require this number all the time, so keep it with you until you get your official photo ID card printed (step 6 below).
Step 2 | IT Account
Register for an Information Technologies (IT) account.
Do this before your first day and after receiving your UCID number.
You will need an IT account right away to access the My UCalgary portal, update your personal information, complete onboarding courses, input direct deposit information, complete timesheets, and much more.
Step 3 | Benefits
Enrol for Benefits.
Do this within 14 days of your hire date, after receiving your benefits enrolment email.
If you are in a benefit eligible position, soon after your start date you will receive an email from DoNotReply@ucalgary.ca with instructions on using the self-service benefit enrolment tool — to complete the benefits enrolment process through the My UCalgary portal. Once the process is finalized you will receive Alberta Blue Cross ID cards within 4-6 weeks.
Step 4 | Getting Around
Plan to get to and around campus.
Do this before your first day.
A new commute takes some getting used to. Before your first day, check out your transit and parking options and scope out your office location by selecting your building and entering your room number. To apply for a parking permit, you will need an IT account and your UCID number.
If you are moving into an office and you have equipment and/or materials to unload, contact Parking Services for information on where to park and to register your license.
Daily and monthly parking at Foothills campus is managed by Alberta Health Services, except for the Teaching Research and Wellness (TRW) underground parkade, which is managed by UCalgary.
Step 5 | Payroll
Set up Payroll Details.
Do this before your first day and after your IT account is created.
Input your direct deposit information through the My UCalgary portal and complete the personal tax credit forms before your first day. Please email completed tax forms to Payroll at payrolluc@ucalgary.ca.
- Set up Direct Deposit
- Complete your TD 1 (E) and TD 1 (AB) Tax Forms - see Forms > Payroll
- Payroll FAQs
Step 6 | Unicard
Get your employee ID card (Unicard).
Do this on your first or second day.
All faculty and staff members require a Unicard. It is your official campus identification card. It also provides access to services such as libraries, Labs, Active Living and swipe to release printing as well as electronic access to secured buildings.
To get your unicard, upload your photo online .
For opening hours and office location, please visit the Unicard Office website.
Step 7 | Training - UBegin
Register for required training and welcome sessions.
Do this on your first or second day.
Take the fast track to institutional knowledge with our comprehensive onboarding and employee welcome program comprised of several courses designed especially for all new UCalgary employees. The New Employee Welcome session is part of UBegin.
Health and Safety
- All new employees are automatically enrolled in the following eLearning courses: Occupational Health and Safety Orientation, Hazard Assessment Training, and Harassment and Violence Awareness Training. To troubleshoot issues you may experience when viewing an eLearning course, view our eLearning troubleshooting guide.
- All new managers and supervisors are required to complete the Incident Reporting and Investigation Training.
- Additional training may be identified by your manager/supervisor on the Hazard Assessment and Control Form for your job description/laboratory/workshop. View all training by Environment, Health and Safety.
Cybersecurity, Privacy Awareness and Research Security
- All faculty and staff are required to complete cybersecurity and privacy awareness training.
- Additionally, faculty and staff who perform and/or support research must also complete research security training.
- Graduate assistants will be required to complete this training starting in January 2025.
This half-day orientation session runs once a month, in-person or online, to provide new employees with the basic information they need to thrive at the university. The course covers UCalgary vision and institutional strategies, training and development opportunities, resources and services available to staff and much more.
The Story of ii' taa'poh'to'p: This online course will introduce learners to the history and content of our Indigenous Strategy, ii' taa'poh'to'p, guiding our way forward 'in a good way' on the path towards reconciliation in response to the 2015 Final Report on Truth and Reconciliation.
Click here to register for The Story of ii' taa'poh'to'p.
Beginning the Journey Towards Reconciliation: This online course provides a basic introductory level overview of the history and diversity of Indigenous people in Canada.
Click here to register for Beginning the Journey Towards Reconciliation.
Stay informed about maintenance work in the building(s) you work in. Select you work location(s) on the Facilities Buildings page and sign up to receive building specific work notices — directly in your inbox.
Almost there!
- Take the Employee Equity Census the day after your UCID has been created.
- Download the UCSafety app on your personal mobile devices to receive alerts in case of an emergency on campus.
Now that you've complete the seven essentials of onboarding, you're ready to move on to your role-specific onboarding checklist.
Onboarding at UCalgary — how are we doing?