Getting Started
Step 1: Complete Employee & Benefit Information
Login to Workday
Please reference the Workday onboarding email you received to complete your Workday onboarding process. You must complete all tasks including the form I-9, pay elections and benefit elections. You can view a complete list in the Workday onboarding tutorial. If you haven’t already done so, you will need to schedule and meet with HR to confirm your social security number and I-9 documents are accurate to ensure a timely paycheck.
A Workday Training Guide for Employees is also available to help you navigate WashU’s Human Resources and Financial system.
Benefits enrollment: You must complete Groups 1 through 3 of your Workday onboarding (item outlined above) before you’re eligible to enroll in benefits. This task will be assigned to you in Workday once you’re able to enroll. You must enroll in benefits within the first 31 days of your start date.
Step 2: Attend In-Person Staff Orientation & Complete Online Compliance Training
Within the first 30 days from your start date, all new staff are expected to participate in an in-person new employee orientation session, as well as complete online compliance training. View the New Hire Onboarding tutorial for specific training requirements and directions.
Note: If your assigned work location is more than 50 miles from WashU (1 Brookings Dr, St. Louis, 63110) or if your regular work schedule is less than 20 hours per week you will be assigned an online-only version of the content that is covered during the in-person session.
This day-long new employee orientation session will be a fun and engaging experience to help new staff members acclimate and feel a sense of belonging within our WashU community. The orientation experience provides an overview of our culture and community, helps staff connect with other WashU employees, presents information on employee well-being benefits and resources, as well as staff professional growth opportunities, and ensures compliance items are completed. Sessions are informative and dynamic, with team building activities, videos, engaging presentations and break out discussion groups.
Post docs and clinical fellows should not attend the staff NEO session. For more information on onboarding, please visit the respective Welcome to WashU webpages.
Orientation sessions run from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Light refreshments and snacks will be available in the morning and a break for lunch at noon is scheduled.
- WashU Medicine employee orientation:
Held the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month. Located at Eric P. Newman Education Center (EPNEC), 2nd floor, Seminar Room B (320 S. Euclid Ave., St. Louis MO). Parking will be validated for staff members in attendance at the WashU Medicine session. - Danforth Campus employee orientation:
Held the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month at the Link in the Loop, 3rd floor (621 N. Skinker Blvd., St. Louis, MO). Parking is free and available in a visitor parking lot.
Find the full orientation schedule for 2025 (PDF).
In-person sessions will not take place on university-observed holidays.
Note: If the NEO training options for your campus do not work with your schedule, it is possible to attend in-person orientation on either campus.
Staff whose assigned work location is more than 50 miles from the main WashU location (1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130) or whose normal work schedule is less than 20 hours per week will be assigned an online-only course that covers the same content that is delivered in person.
WashU is in the process of transitioning between Learning Management systems. You will be assigned training in Workday, as well as in our legacy Learning Management System, Learn@Work. You will be assigned a learning program on your first day, Learning@WashU, that will provide you with an introduction to both Learn@Work and to basic Workday functionality. Complete the Learning at WashU learning program in Workday within your first two weeks. You can access your assigned training in Workday via the Learning page, and in Learn@Work via Me page.
While you will be automatically assigned orientation training, you will need to select an in-person session* that best meets your needs (campus location and date) and which takes place within 30 days of your start date.
On your first day, you will be assigned the New Employee Orientation for Staff Curriculum and will receive an email from Workday with the subject line Workday Inbox – Your Daily Digest notifying you of the assignment.
If you need to change your orientation training date, log in to Workday Learning to register for the new session and drop the old one. Refer to these instructions.
*Staff whose assigned work location is more than 50 miles from the main WashU location (1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130) or whose normal work schedule is less than 20 hours per week will be assigned an online-only curriculum that covers the same content that is delivered in person.
On your first day, you will be assigned the New Employee Orientation Curriculum and will receive an email with the subject line Workday Inbox – Your Daily Digest notifying you that the curriculum has been assigned. This curriculum contains an Online New Employee Orientation Compliance and Supplemental Training course. This can be completed before or after your in-person session, but must be completed in your first 30 days.
Keep in mind that you may be assigned additional training that has other due dates.
Have questions? Read the New Hire Onboarding tutorial for specific training requirements and directions, review the Orientation FAQs or email HR Development & Learning.
Step 3: Pickup Your WashU ID Badge & Request Access
Danforth Campus: Campus Card Services Office
Mallinckrodt Center, ground floor (next to the Bank of America ATM)
University Services Center is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Your hiring manager or business manager must request card access on your behalf by emailing cardaccess@wustl.edu.
WashU Medicine Campus: Facilities Integrated Service Center
Mid Campus Center; 1st floor lobby
Your hiring manager or business manager must request card access by submitting a ServiceNow ticket.
Staff Policies & Handbooks
- WashU Employee Handbook (PDF)
- Code of Conduct
You will be required to complete the Code of Conduct training yearly in addition to onboarding.
Exclusive Activities & Perks!
Discover signature community and sporting events, staff recognition opportunities, and discounts exclusive only to WashU Employees!
Benefits & Well-Being
Learn about your health, dental, vision and retirement options, including WUCare, exclusive primary care for eligible WashU employees, well-being benefits and programming, and family care resources.
Useful Campus Resources
ID Badges
WashU’s ID Badges are used for identification, building access, dining and more, including Bear Bucks, WashU’s cashless payment system.
WashU IT
WashU Information Technology can help with computer and email assistance, telecommuting and more.
Parking & Transportation
Campus Security
WashU News & Culture
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
WashU is committed to creating an environment that is diverse, inclusive and nurturing of people from all backgrounds.
HR Announcements & Newsletter
WashU employee news to help you thrive personally and professionally.
Sustainability at WashU
WashU is invested in significantly reducing our carbon footprint and promoting sustainable practices on our campuses and beyond.
The SOURCE
A website for news and stories about research, scholarship and creativity at Washington University.