Onboarding
Onboarding refers to the process through which you are hired as a UNC employee and learn how to perform the duties and responsibilities of your new job. While each department has a unique onboarding process, for all new student employees onboarding will include completing certain required forms and computer-based training (CBT).
Prior to your first day of work, you should receive an offer letter outlining the specifics of the job (i.e., start date, pay rate, hours per week,etc.) and instructions on how to complete onboarding actions, such as required forms and training. Contact your supervisor or the hiring representative in the department in which you will be working with any questions.
Most student employees do not require a background check unless they fall into certain categories. For example, student employees who work with minors or in residential programs will require a background check.
If a background check is required, you will receive a Candidate Welcome Email and background check invitation. Both emails provide instructions on how to complete the background check process. Once initiated, background checks generally take 7-10 business days to complete. Learn more about employee background checks from the UNC Office of Human Resources.
All U.S. employers are responsible for the completion and retention of Form I-9 – Employment Eligibility Verification – for each individual hired after November 6, 1986, for employment in the United States, including citizens and non-citizens. As part of UNC’s employment process, student employees are required to complete a Federal Form I-9 to establish their eligibility to work in the United States before they can start working.
On or before your first day of work, you will receive instructions on how to complete Form I-9. Within three days of your hiring, you will need to complete Section 1 of Form I-9 and present UNEXPIRED and ORIGINAL documents to the appropriate hiring representative to complete Section 2 of the verification. Visit USCIS I-9 Central for a list and examples of acceptable documents. Review the Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Employee Information Sheet for more information.
Please note that unless you have completed a Form I-9 AND had your documents verified by a hiring representative, you are not permitted to work or receive a paycheck.
Contact the Office of Human Resources I-9 Hotline at (919) 962-0985 for further assistance.
As a new student employee, you are responsible for completing the following forms before your first day or work.
- Direct Deposit: If it is your first time working as a student employee on-campus at UNC, or if it has been a while since you received a paycheck, you must set up or update your direct deposit information in ConnectCarolina. Visit the UNC Finance and Operations Employee Direct Deposit Guide for more information and instructions on how to set up and revise your direct deposit information.
- Form W-4 and Form NC-4: These forms tell your employer how much federal and state taxes to withhold from each paycheck. As your employer, UNC will remit the tax withheld from each paycheck to the IRS on your behalf. These and other tax forms can be completed online via the Self-Service tab in ConnectCarolina.
Please note that you will not be able to access the employee portal in ConnectCarolina until 24 to 48 hours prior to the first day of your new job. Visit the UNC Finance and Operations Payroll Guide for UNC Employees for more information.
Certain jobs require compliance and safety training to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for everyone associated with the university. If your job requires training, your supervisor will provide you with the necessary information and instructions. Other training may be required depending on your job and responsibilities. Contact your supervisor for more information.