Starting a new job in the UK: the first-weeks checklist

The offer

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Check whether the offer is unconditional before you hand in your notice.
A conditional offer can be withdrawn if you do not meet the employer’s conditions, such as references. An accepted unconditional offer is a binding contract (GOV.UK).
Ask for the pay, the hours, the start date and the notice period in writing.
A contract does not have to be written down, so get the main terms by email while you decide (GOV.UK).
Complete the pre-employment checks the employer asks for.
References, a health questionnaire or a criminal record check, if the job needs one (GOV.UK).
Hand in your notice at your current job as your contract says, and ask when you will get your P45.
The notice period is in your employment contract (GOV.UK).

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Find your National Insurance number.
It is on a payslip, a P60 or tax letters, and in the HMRC app. HMRC cannot give it by phone or webchat (GOV.UK).
Prove your right to work.
British and Irish citizens use a passport or passport card. Everyone else uses a share code or immigration documents (GOV.UK).
Have your bank details ready, for the payroll.
Bring your proof of identity on the first day.
Your employer will say which documents it needs.
Check which student loan plan you are on, if you have one.
Your employer needs the plan to take the right repayments (GOV.UK).
Note any benefits you get, such as Universal Credit.
The employer asks for this on the starter checklist, together with other jobs and pensions since 6 April (GOV.UK).

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On your first day, ask for the written statement of employment particulars, and read it.
The employer must give the main terms on the first day: pay, hours, holiday, place of work and probation. It is not a contract (GOV.UK).
Within 2 months, check you have the rest: pensions, training, disciplinary and grievance procedures.
This wider statement is due within 2 months of the start (GOV.UK).
Read the sick pay, other leave and notice terms.
They are also due on day one, in the statement or in a document you can reach, such as the intranet (GOV.UK).
Check how long the probation period is and what it means for notice and benefits.
Check your holiday: days a year and whether bank holidays are included.
Most workers get at least 5.6 weeks a year, and an employer may count bank holidays in that (GOV.UK).

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Give your P45 to your new employer.
Your last employer gives it to you when you leave. The new employer uses it to work out the tax to take (GOV.UK).
No P45? Fill in the starter checklist.
It tells your employer what it needs to work out your tax code, and to add you to the payroll. Ask when it is needed (GOV.UK).
Check your hourly pay is at least the National Minimum Wage.
From April 2026: £12.71 at 21 and over, £10.85 at 18 to 20, £8 under 18 and for apprentices (GOV.UK).
Read the automatic enrolment letter and see how much goes into your pension.
You are enrolled from age 22 if you earn £10,000 or more. The minimum is 5% from you and 3% from your employer (GOV.UK).
Decide whether to stay in the pension, before the deadline in the letter.
You can leave the scheme, but then you lose the employer contribution (GOV.UK).

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Check you got your first payslip on or before payday.
It must show your earnings before and after deductions, and the deductions that change each time (GOV.UK).
Compare the tax code on your payslip with the one in your HMRC account.
1257L is the code for most people with one job or pension (GOV.UK).
Check tax, National Insurance, pension and student loan against the calculator.
The take-home pay calculator on this site shows what to expect from a salary.
If the tax looks wrong, tell HMRC or ask payroll to correct the code.
It is your responsibility to make sure you pay the right amount of tax (GOV.UK).
Keep your payslips and your P60 at the end of the tax year.
They are proof of your earnings, tax paid and pension contributions (GOV.UK).