Onboarding FAQ

What can I expect during the implementation process?

Purpose: To help you understand how the implementation process works and how to get the most out of your time during implementation.


Below are some of our most commonly asked questions to help you understand what to expect during onboarding and as you fill out the HR Implementation module. Happy Bamboo-ing!

What is the timeline for the onboarding process?

The onboarding process depends on a few things:

  1. The number of customers ahead of you in the queue
  2. How quickly you give us your data and what it looks like
  3. Your availability for phone calls to answer questions
Will I receive email alerts to help track my tasks?

If there is a task not marked as complete, the Full Admin user will receive an email notification at 7:00 AM (company time zone) the day the task is due. This email will remind them to complete past due and incomplete tasks. You can start working on tasks directly from the email by clicking Start

How does onboarding include hands-on learning?

During the process, your HR project manager will teach you about specific features in BambooHR as you learn how to set up those features in your account to better prepare for success in BambooHR. You will learn more about this during your onboarding process.

Where is the best place to get basic employee information?

Employee information can be stored in many places: spreadsheets, paper files, other databases, etc. Usually, a great place to start is your payroll system.

How do you handle custom fields?

You can add many of the custom fields and tables you need right in your BambooHR account. We will also be on the lookout for any custom fields that you might need. For example, if your first batch of data has information about your employees’ t-shirt sizes, we will create a t-shirt size field for you and import the corresponding data.

If I have further questions, where can I find additional information?

Our help center is full of video tutorials and help guides that will answer most of your questions. 

If you are not able to find an answer, you can always email your HR project manager. 

How can I help get my data into my account faster?

The best way is to have your data in the best format possible. The great news is that we have templates that help you with the process, which you will have easy access to through your tasks in your project plan. Please contact your HR project manager if you have any questions about those.

What is the average time spent on onboarding?

The new customer onboarding process usually takes four to six weeks. Also, it depends on how prepared you are for the phone calls for each phase of implementation and how fast we receive your data. At times, it is affected by the number of customers in the queue. However, this is rare. If you find that you are ready for the next call before it is scheduled, let us know. Usually, we can accommodate your request.

I gave you data today. When can I expect to see it in my account?

We work hard to get your information in the system as soon as possible. Most of the magic happens behind the scenes while we organize and format your data for importing. Before your data shows up in your account, it is scrubbed, organized, and formatted. Initially, you will log in to your BambooHR account, and it looks a bit empty. Before we import data, we want to ensure the absolute accuracy and completeness of your data. We learned a valuable lesson over the years, and that is to do it right the first time!

What is the best way to enable employee access?

We have a great plan to get your employees using the system. It works best to add employees to the system right away. We have them verify their individual data and update their emergency contacts and dependents. As new information comes online, you can adjust their access settings to include new tabs and information. We make it easy for employees to get up and running with short one-minute videos that explain everything they need to know.

What if I want help with implementing additional features?

If you are interested in adding additional features to your BambooHR account, we are always happy to help you. Please contact your HR project manager for details and associated costs.