ESDC Onboarding
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What to expect as a new ESDC employee
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), the fourth-largest department within the Government of Canada, has four ministers and over 36,000 public service employees who work to improve the standard of living and quality of life for all Canadians by supporting the development of a highly skilled labour force and promoting an efficient and inclusive labour market.
Whether you have been offered a position with ESDC or are curious about joining the department, this website explains what to expect and how to prepare for your new role.
We can’t wait for you to join our team!
What is Onboarding?
Onboarding is the process of integrating new employees into the workplace, beginning with the acceptance of the initial job offer and continuing through the first 6 to 12 months of employment. It includes activities such as training and mentoring, as well as providing all pertinent information on internal policies, work processes and established cultural norms.
While most onboarding activities take place after you begin working, the Pre-Arrival Checklist outlines several important steps you can follow leading up to your first day.
Pre-Arrival Checklist - Are you ready for your first day?
Our pre-arrival onboarding content contains general guidance that applies to most employees’ working arrangements as well as specialized sections, such as information for incoming Executives. We are actively developing new content for other segments of our workforce. Be sure to check back regularly.
Discuss with your Hiring Manager
Your hiring manager (or equivalent liaison) has likely already contacted you to communicate the preliminary job offer and arrange a start date. This person will be the primary resource assigned to support your pre-arrival onboarding activities.
- Talk to the hiring manager about the details of your work arrangement, such as hours of work and work location. Find out if you will be working remotely, in-person or through a hybrid model.
- Stay in regular contact with your manager if there is 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, but if you foresee the need for special 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 and have the required contact information for your arrival should it be virtual or in-person.
- For any other questions or concerns not covered on this site, do not hesitate to contact your hiring manager.
Monitor your e-mail for official documents
At some point during your hiring process, you should have provided your ESDC contact with a primary e-mail address. Monitor this e-mail regularly for important messages.
The following list includes some examples of communications and documents you should receive before your arrival. Depending on your physical work arrangement, 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 and/or other contact lists
- Voicemail and email instructions
- Job description
Review this specific information if it applies to you
Currently available information
Information still in development
Getting your technology (IT) equipment and network access
Whether you will be working remotely, in-person or through a hybrid model, your hiring manager (or equivalent liaison) will coordinate with you to ensure you receive the tools and equipment you need to carry out your work.
If you foresee the need for special equipment, or any other circumstance that may affect your ability to carry out your regular duties, please discuss it with your hiring manager as soon as possible.
Once you obtain your IT equipment, follow the enclosed instructions to finish setting up your computer and access the ESDC corporate network. Ensure 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 directly.
In the event 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 ensure your hiring manager is aware of the technical issue(s). They may be able to support you directly.
Personal external storage devices are not permitted
Please be advised that you should never connect personal external data storage devices such as USB keys, mobile phones, or any other external storage device to your ESDC workstation computers or laptops, even for charging purposes. Your hiring manager may direct you to additional resources on our corporate IT security policy.
Get to know ESDC and other aspects of your employment
Departmental Information
Diversity & Inclusion
The Department is committed to having a skilled, inclusive and diversified workforce, which is representative of the population we serve.
We encourage all employees to complete or review their self-identification form in myEMS (PeopleSoft) and to voluntarily identify, as applicable, to one or more of the four (4) employment equity designated groups (i.e. visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and women and/or the LGBTQ2+ community, a group that is not currently part of the Employment Equity Act). This form will be available once you have your ESDC network access.
At ESDC, we believe that everyone deserves the same opportunities, chance at success, and ability to participate fully in society without barriers. We look forward to working with you to achieve this vision and to ensure all our employees and our executives reach their full potential.
Accessibility
In June 2019, the Accessible Canada Act received Royal Assent. The Act establishes a framework to create a barrier-free Canada by proactively identifying, removing and preventing barriers to accessibility. It will also ensure that people with disabilities will no longer need to fight barriers to accessibility on an individual basis. With this legislation in place, 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 & Benefits
- Collective Agreements
- Pensions
- Leave and Vacation
- 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
Other Resources
Download the MyESDC mobile app
The MyESDC App provides important Government of Canada information to public servants, members of the public who may be interested in working for Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), or anyone who is interested in knowing more about the department in general.
The app can be downloaded from the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store for Android and Apple mobile devices respectively.
Explore (and join!) our networks and communities
Here is a list of ESDC employee networks you can join when you begin working. While not all networks have an external web presence, you can find more information about each of them on our internal department site (iService) once you have access to the system. A comprehensive list with each network’s contact information is also available.
National Networks
- Association of Professional Executives
- Black Engagement and Advancement Team
- Employee Pride Network
- Employees with Disabilities Network
- ESDC Speakers Bureau
- ESDC Visible Minorities Network
- Indigenous Employees’ Circle (IEC)
- The Student Network
- Transformation Engagement Team
- Youth Mandate for Greater Involvement (YMAGIN)
Regional Networks
- Administrative Professionals Network (APN)
- EDSC Managers' Community
- <xxx$$$xxxx>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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