HR checklist

What we need from you

Offer letters and contract of employment 

You will receive a provisional offer letter from our Human Resources and Organisational Development Team. This will outline the details of the offer of employment. What follows is a list of some further information we need from you before you start your new role.

References

If you haven’t already given your permission for us to contact your referees, we will now ask for your confirmation and make contact to request references covering the last two years of your employment. 

Eligibility to work

In accordance with the requirements of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006, we are required to ascertain your legal right to work in the UK prior to you commencing work with Staffordshire University. So that we can meet our obligations under the Act, you are required to produce original right to work documentation prior to commencing employment. The Human Resources and Organisational Development team will be in touch to arrange to see these documents before you take up your new role. If you need to see what documents are acceptable, please view the Government Right to Work Checklist

Qualifications and professional registration

We will need to verify qualifications listed as essential on the person specification for the role you have been appointed to, along with any other qualifications you detailed on your application form. You will need to upload a copy of these documents via the recruitment portal and the Human Resources and Organisational Development will arrange a time to see the original documents before you take up your new role. 

Staff ID photo

All employees are issued with a staff ID card which will allow swipe-card access to University buildings and printers. In order for this card to be produced, you will need to provide Human Resources and Organisational Development with a up-to-date photograph showing your head and shoulders via your new starter forms on the recruitment portal. 

Disclosure and Barring Service

For posts that are exempted under the rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, confirmation of appointment to the role will be subject to the University being satisfied with the outcome of a check of criminal records through the Disclosure and Barring Service. If this applies to the role you have been offered you will be required to complete an online DBS application, the link to which will be sent to you by the Human Resources and Organisational Development team. You will then need to arrange to provide the appropriate original supporting documentation.

HESA ID number

If you have previously worked for an HE institution, please provide the the Human Resources and Organisational Development team with your HESA ID number for our records. 

Pension schemes

All new colleagues are automatically enrolled into one of the pension schemes offered by the University, if they are eligible for membership. This means that you don’t need to do anything as we will arrange this on your behalf if you are eligible.  Further information on the pension schemes in operation at the University can be found on our pay and pension pages.

In order to either send or to arrange a time to visit the University to provide the information detailed above, please contact Human Resources and Organisational Development on 01782 292 700 or email recruitment@staffs.ac.uk

Driving for work

If you will be driving for work purposes in your new role please ensure you log into Davis Driver Check system and enter your details.

Log your details with Davis Driver Check

Driving for work includes:

  • Driving between university campuses or other sites during work time for work purposes
  • Driving from a university campus or site to somewhere owned or occupied by an external organisation or person, or returning therefrom, during work time for work purposes.

Driving for work does not include:

  • Commuting journeys from home to a normal place of work to begin work or driving from a normal place of work at the end of work

If you are not sure if this applies to you please contact your line manager.

What happens next?

Acceptance of appointment

Please make sure you read, sign and return your contract of employment before you commence in post.  If we do not receive your signed acceptance, the University will deem that once you have started your employment you have accepted the terms and conditions set out in your letters and contract of employment.

If you have any queries regarding your contract of employment, please do not hesitate to contact Human Resources and Organisational Development either by email recruitment@staffs.ac.uk or by telephone 01782 292 700.

Meet with your team

Your new line manager will be in touch to confirm arrangements for your first day arrangements. If you have time before you start, you might wish to take the opportunity to meet with your new line manager and team, so that you can find out more about your new job and department. 

Complete mandatory online training

You will be required to complete a number of mandatory training modules within your first month of employment. You will be sent more information relating to the training modules on your first week, so please keep your eye out for this information as this will need to be completed in your first month with us.

Explore Staffordshire

If you are new to the area, how about taking some time to visit some of the exciting attractions in the Staffordshire area before you start? We’ve made some suggestions below to fire your imagination.

  • Trentham Gardens – have a walk around the gardens, parkland and woodland or visit the Monkey Forest. A must-see attraction.

  • Alton Towers – people come from across the country to visit Alton Towers Resort, home to over 50 attractions. It is the UK’s biggest and best theme park and features some world-beating rides and adrenalin-pumping rollercoasters that cannot be experienced anywhere else.

  • Explore Stoke – check out a sports team, a pub, club, theatre or museum. Whatever you like to do in your spare time, Stoke-on-Trent has something for everyone.

  • Visit the Staffordshire Moorlands and the Peak District – stunning scenery right on our doorstep. Perfect for relaxing, hiking, mountain biking or rock climbing.

Find out what our students like to do Local attractions and things to do .

Once you’ve started

Once you’ve started in your new role, your manager will take you through your induction plan and will introduce you to your team and key contacts both within the University and beyond. The onboarding process is really important in helping you to settle in to the University and helping you to succeed in your new role. As part of your induction you will have regular meetings with your manager to ensure you have all the support you need. Further information on this process and what to expect can be found on our local onboarding pages. You can also download our Onboarding App which has a wealth of information to support you in your first few weeks with us, including maps and information to help you navigate our campus.

You can download the app to you phone, tablet or PC.

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

Top 5 for Social Inclusion

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

for First Generation Students

The Mail University Guide 2025

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021