Before You Arrive

We have extended you an offer letter, inviting you to join our team. Likewise, you may have received a Welcome Packet at your residence or one may be waiting for you on your first day at work. If you have questions about your offer letter or welcome packet, please don’t hesitate to contact your supervisor for assistance.

Employment Eligibility Verification

All new employees should receive an email to complete a criminal background check and then the Form I-9 for employment eligibility verification. Both the I-9 and criminal background check must be successfully completed before a new hire can begin employment at Duke.

Required Vaccinations

Newly hired Duke employees are required to have at least a single dose of a COVID-19 vaccination or a Duke-approved medical or religious exemption prior to their start of work date. See the COVID Vaccine website for details on the requirements for COVID vaccination and booster shots. All members of the Duke community are also expected to receive the annual influenza vaccination. Visit the Fight the Flu website for details. 

Pre-employment Screenings

All Duke University Health System (DUHS) staff will be screened for the presence of illegal drugs and alcohol levels greater than 40-mg %. Selected university positions also require substance abuse screening based on federal, state or institutional regulation. Duke also requires a pre-placement health review for certain positions to ensure that staff have no health problems that could potentially endanger their safety at work or compromise or create health risks to Duke's patients, students, visitors, other staff, or the work environment in general. Certain positions also require physical capacity testing as part of the minimum requirements to safely perform the essential functions of the job. Such reviews must be completed prior to beginning work. Your hiring departments must schedule any necessary screenings for you with Employee Occupational Health and Wellness upon acceptance of an offer.

Pre-review Your Benefits

One of the first things you will want to do is review and make decisions about participation in your benefits since you must enroll within the first 30 days of your date of employment for medical, dental, vision and reimbursement account benefits. Otherwise, you will have to wait until the next annual open enrollment period, unless you have a qualifying life event.

Work Location

If you have not done so, please become familiar with your new work location. You may click on the Duke Maps website or visit this website to find your location online. You may also call Duke’s Telephone Directory Assistance at (919) 684-8111.

Transportation and Parking

More employees are considering alternative transportation options such as bus transit or carpooling to help reduce costs and support a more sustainable campus. Check out the Parking & Transportation website to consider your options, including searching for people who live near you who are interested in carpooling. There are also numerous parking facilities and bus and shuttle services at Duke. Please become familiar with the various modes of transportation and parking before your arrival.

What to Bring on Your First Day

You will report to your hiring supervisor unless otherwise informed. Several forms of identification may be required for your first day so please check with your supervisor regarding what may be needed.

What to Wear

Workplace attire must be neat, clean, and appropriate for the work being performed and for the setting in which the work is performed. Uniforms may be required for certain positions. Departments may determine appropriate workplace attire for their area. Any questions about the department’s guidelines for attire should be discussed with your immediate supervisor.