Hey there,

Every new hire enters with excitement, curiosity, and an invisible checklist in their head. They’re asking: Did I make the right choice? Do I belong here? Can I succeed here?

The answers don’t come after years - they’re shaped in the very first 90 days. Because whatever they experience here, multiplies further.

This window isn’t just about learning the ropes; it’s where culture goes from being a promise on paper to a lived reality. And the impressions formed here often decide whether someone becomes a long-term contributor, a quiet dis-engager, or an early exit.

Define the Future of HR: Take the greyt HR Predictions Survey 2026

The year is ending, but one question still hums beneath the noise: Where will HR thrive and where might systems strain in 2026?

greytHR invites you to help shape that answer through ‘The greyt HR Predictions Survey 2026.’

Your ratings across 17 forward-looking predictions, spanning tech fragmentation, talent agility, productivity enablement, and more, will guide next year’s strategic priorities for the entire HR community. Your voice helps reveal the “Confidence Gap”: the space between ambition and real-world risk.

🤔Why the First 90 Days Matter

• Belonging is built (or broken): The warmth of introductions, teammates taking time to help, and leaders showing genuine curiosity about the new hire’s journey - these small moments create a big impact. Without them, it’s easy for a new joiner to feel like an outsider.

• Expectations get set: The way goals and strategies are explained and strategized sets the tone for the future. Trust erodes when there’s no clearly defined plan.

• Culture becomes real: People don’t measure culture by posters or all-hands speeches. They measure it by how feedback is given, how their newly-made wins are celebrated, and how challenges are handled.

🙌Great Onboarding looks like this

Great onboarding isn’t about dumping information in week one. It means:

• Structured plans: Clear 30-60-90 day milestones, so employees know what “good progress” looks like without being overwhelmed.

• People-first integration: Pairing new hires with buddies or mentors, organizing informal chats with teammates, and exposing them to cross-functional work early on.

• Cultural immersion: Sharing not just what the company does but why it exists and what it values.

• Leadership accessibility: A coffee and a chat with a senior leader in the first month does more for engagement than a hundred slides in an orientation deck.

🫂Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Many companies unintentionally sabotage the first 90 days. The most common mistakes include:

• Overloading with work: Throwing new hires into the deep end with little context leaves them drowning in confusion.

• Radio silence: Managers who fail to check in make new hires wonder if anyone cares about their success.

• Culture mismatch: Saying “we value collaboration” while rewarding only individual heroics creates disillusionment.

• Lack of clarity: If people spend weeks figuring out who does what, they’re already losing momentum.

⚡Some real-world instances of companies nailing their onboarding processes

➡️Take Airbnb: their onboarding program includes “Airbnb 101,” where new hires hear directly from founders about the company’s mission and values. They also get matched with a culture ambassador who helps them navigate not just processes, but people. 

This intentional focus makes employees feel like contributors to the mission from day one.

➡️Or look at Netflix: their culture deck is famous, but what makes it work is that new hires experience its principles in action from day one - freedom, responsibility, and radical candor aren’t just buzzwords here.

“The first 90 days are when culture becomes real. And it often comes down to the questions you ask:

• Are vendors and processes so seamless that new hires aren’t left anxious or lost?

• Does onboarding align with their needs and expectations?

Too many companies get this wrong. Day 1 turns into a firehose of paperwork, ID checks, and endless “intro” sessions crammed into hours. The result? Overwhelm, confusion, and a shaky start.

Great onboarding starts before Day 1. 

• When paperwork is handled in advance

• The welcome feels warm - not rushed

• And new hires aren’t stuck chasing answers or feeling like a burden.

At Springworks, we’ve built our process around this belief: pre-joining WhatsApp groups with buddies and managers, curated welcome kits, and a steady rhythm of support.

 The real difference, though, comes after Day 1:

• - Through induction calls

• - Day 7 feedback pulses

• - And 30-60-90 day check-ins that show we’re invested in their journey.

Because culture isn’t what you say on Day 1. It’s how you show up every day after.”

🎉 Adhyayan Foundation is now a TSOW Certified Best Workplace (2025–2026)!

We’re proud to announce that Adhyayan Foundation has achieved TSOW’s Best Workplace Certification, recognizing their commitment to a culture built on learning, trust, and meaningful collaboration.

👏 Congratulations to Nita Luthria Row, Divya Bhandari, and the entire Adhyayan team on this achievement.

👉 Want your workplace recognized too?

Advertisement 

Want to take advantage of the current bull run?

If you want to take advantage of the current bull market but are hesitant about investing, online stock brokers could help take the intimidation out of the process. These platforms offer a simpler, user-friendly way to buy and sell stocks, options and ETFs from the comfort of your home. Check out Money’s list of the Best Online Stock Brokers and start putting your money to work!

Start investing

✅TSOW HR Meetup in Ahmedabad, Saturday, December 13

Join an inspiring group of HR leaders for a morning of meaningful conversations, practical insights, and new connections. Leave with actionable takeaways—and a digital badge to show you were part of it. Seats are limited—reserve yours today!

✅TSOW HR Meetup in Bangalore, Saturday, December 13

Hang out with HR peers, swap insights, and leave inspired with actionable strategies. Oh, and there’s a digital badge for bragging rights! Limited seats—grab yours before they’re gone.

✅TSOW HR Meetup in Bhopal Saturday, December 13

Meet your fellow HR trailblazers, share stories that only HR folks truly get, and walk away with fresh ideas you can actually use. Oh, and yes—there’s a shiny digital badge for showing off your HR cred. Limited seats—grab yours before they vanish!

✅TSOW HR Meetup in Coimbatore, Saturday, December 13

Connect with an incredible community of HR professionals, exchange real-world insights, and walk away with renewed clarity and confidence and of course — your digital badge awaits! Seats are limited — save your spot now!

If you’re building teams, ask yourself:

👉 What story do your new hires tell about your culture after their first 90 days?

Because culture isn’t tested in year five—it’s tested in week five. And if those early experiences don’t match your values, no mission statement can save you.

-Team TSOW