Required and Recommended Training
Stanford requires you to take specific training to comply with important laws, policies, and processes that help protect our community. The university also provides recommended training to help you successfully onboard into your role and prepare for tools and programs that support everyday work at Stanford.
Training related to Sequoia, Stanford’s new HR and Payroll system, launching July 6, 2026, is included below, along with other required and recommended training opportunities.
Because each school/unit and individual positions may require additional training, this list is not comprehensive. Be sure to check with your manager for required training specific to your position or area.
Sequoia Training
Get a head start on Sequoia with training designed to introduce key features and processes before launch. Although Sequoia is not yet available, you can begin preparing through these learning resources.
The list below highlights current self-paced learning opportunities and is not comprehensive. Additional training may be provided by your school or unit.
Start with the introductory courses to build a foundation, then complete additional training based on your role and responsibilities.
Please note: Due to planned data migration activities supporting the Sequoia transition, some trainings listed below will be temporarily unavailable in STARS from June 27 through June 29.
Start here: Foundational training
Complete these three courses first before moving to role-specific learning.
This introductory training provides an overview of Sequoia, including what is changing, what to expect as the system launches, and how the new tools and processes will support employees across Stanford.
A two-page guide explaining how to responsibly manage and protect employee data when using Sequoia and related HR systems.
This course describes the various actions that employees can perform on their own in Sequoia to manage personal and employment information. The course is intended for all Stanford employees.
Next: Complete training based on your role
After completing the foundational courses above, take the Time and Absences training that applies to your role.
For employees
This course provides employees with a comprehensive overview of time and absence reporting in Sequoia, tailored for non-exempt roles. Participants will learn how to accurately enter, manage, and approve work time and absences, understand accrual balances, and navigate key differences in processes based on employment type. The course also covers specialized requirements for remote employees.
This course provides employees with a comprehensive overview of absence reporting in Sequoia tailored for exempt roles. Participants will learn how to accurately enter and manage absences, understand accrual balances, and navigate key differences in processes based on employment type. The course also covers specialized requirements for remote employees.
For managers
The courses below are designed to help people managers become familiar with manager responsibilities and tools in Sequoia.
In addition to the manager-specific training, managers should also complete the course(s) that align with the roles of the employees they support, as listed in the employee section above.
This course equips managers with the essential skills to view and manage their team’s information within Sequoia. Participants will learn how to navigate team dashboards, monitor team tasks, and manage direct reports’ data through the Team Activity Center, process approvals using Sequoia workflows, and more. The course is designed to ensure managers can efficiently support their teams and leverage Sequoia’s self-service capabilities. The course is intended for all Stanford managers.
This course equips managers with the skills to review and approve employee work time and absence reporting in Sequoia for exempt, non-exempt, and SLAC employees. Managers and school and unit HR teams will learn how to enter, review, and approve timecards and absence requests, along with expectations for timely approval to ensure accuracy and completeness of employee time and absence entries. The course also covers maintaining team schedules, delegating approvals, and tools for effective team time and absence management.
Note for time and leave administrators: There is not a separate training for time and leave administrators. Individuals with time and leave administration responsibilities should complete the manager training and employee time and absence training listed above.
For SLAC
The courses below are designed to help SLAC employees become familiar with tools in Sequoia.
This 20-minute course provides employees with a comprehensive overview of time, effort, and absence reporting in Sequoia tailored for SLAC roles. Participants will learn how to accurately enter, manage, and approve work time, effort, and absences, understand accrual balances, and navigate key differences in processes based on employment type. The course also covers specialized requirements for remote employees. Employee learners should take the course applicable for their role. Managers should take course(s) applicable to the roles of the employees that they manage.
SLAC employees will receive required training through the SLAC Training Assignment (STA) tool before go-live.
This 45-minute course provides employees with an overview of time, effort, and absence reporting in Sequoia, tailored for SLAC employees.
SLAC employees will receive required training through the SLAC Training Assignment (STA) tool before go-live.
Sequoia supports a variety of tasks for employees and managers. Visit the pages below for guidance and training on each topic:
Learn more about Sequoia, including upcoming changes on the HR & Payroll System Upgrade page.
Annual
To complete this training, watch for an email invitation from STARS within a few days of your start date. If you do not receive the STARS notification, contact your department’s Human Resources Manager or Faculty Affairs Officer to assign you the Workplace Violence Prevention training.
Biennial
To complete this training, watch for a STARS assignment email within a few days of your start date. If you do not receive the STARS notification, contact your department’s Human Resources Manager or Faculty Affairs Officer to assign you the Sexual Harassment Prevention training. Learn more on the SHARE website.
To complete this training, watch for a STARS assignment email within a few days of your start date. If you do not receive the STARS notification, contact your department’s Human Resources Manager or Faculty Affairs Officer to assign you the Addressing Sexual Misconduct training. Learn more on the SHARE website.
New Hires/Just Once
To complete this training, navigate to the Stanford Account site > Manage > Watch Employee Information Security Awareness Video.
To complete this training, navigate to Axess > STARS > All Learning > Enroll: Course HRC-3161-AGA.
To complete this training, navigate to Axess > STARS > All Learning > Enroll: Course EHS-4200-WEB.
To complete this training, navigate to Axess > STARS > All Learning > Enroll: Course COC-1000-WEB.
Highly Recommended But Not Required
This in-person session hosted by Stanford University Human Resources–Employee & Labor Relations (UHR-ELR) covers important employee relations topics such as handling employee concerns, effective performance management, and key university policies and employment laws. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Learn more about employee relations trainings for managers. >>
This in-person training hosted by Stanford University Human Resources–Employee & Labor Relations (UHR-ELR) provides a general overview of labor relations and covers topics related to managing employees represented by the different unions at Stanford. Learn more about employee relations trainings for managers. >>
This virtual training hosted by Stanford University Human Resources–Employee & Labor Relations (UHR-ELR) covers the requirements that apply to non-exempt employees, including meal periods, rest breaks, and overtime. Learn more about employee relations trainings for managers. >>