Making the most of the probation period: Why routine insights matter

Viesturs Abelis 25.08.2025
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Most new hires spend their probation period building trust, learning company culture, and proving their value to the team. However, another crucial aspect managers should pay attention to in new hires is their attitude toward routine. 

By observing how a new employee handles habitual things like showing up to work on time, taking breaks, and communicating, you can get a good feel for their attitude toward their new role and whether they show promise for long-term success.

In this post, we’ll discuss why insights into a new hire’s routine are important and how they can help you make the most of the probation period. Let’s dive in!

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It’s not just about performance: Why routine matters

When evaluating new hires, some managers naturally gravitate toward performance reviews and metrics that highlight deliverables, deadlines, and measurable goals. While these numbers certainly matter, they only capture one part of the picture.

What often goes unnoticed are the subtle yet telling details of a new hire’s daily routine: their habits, pacing, and communication preferences. These can be as important as pure performance when it comes to their long-term potential.

A new hire’s daily habits can sometimes reveal more about their long-term potential than performance metrics. While employees naturally put extra effort into tasks during probation, it’s the consistency of their routines that indicates whether they can sustain that effort over time. 

By observing how new hires build, adjust, and maintain their routines, you gain a more complete view of their potential. A new hire’s routine reflects not only their discipline but also how well their personality aligns with the role and the company’s culture.

Pro tip: Use time tracking

When observing new hires, the challenge is staying informed without micromanaging. Is it possible to gain deep insight without constantly looking over their shoulder?

Yes—if you use time tracking tools such as DeskTime. With DeskTime, you can get a clear picture of how your new hires manage their work hours from day one: when they log in, how they handle breaks, and whether they get interrupted by things on the internet, for example. 

These insights not only help you understand how new hires use their time but also provide actionable strategies to improve team and company-wide workflow and productivity.

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Key habits to observe in a new hire

While a single high-impact deliverable might look great on paper, the ability to maintain consistent productivity through routine is what really drives results over time. That’s why it’s important how new employees approach things like punctuality, their break habits, their approach to meetings, and communication. 

All of these things serve as a strong predictor of sustainable performance, showing you a new hire’s true potential beyond their initial probation period.

Arrival and departure times

Why it matters: When a new employee consistently shows up (either in person or by logging in) around the same time as everyone else, it signals they’re reliable and eager to be part of the team. If their arrival and departure times are all over the place, it might mean they’re not fully engaged, haven’t quite grasped the team norms, or maybe their personal schedule just doesn’t line up with your expectations.

What to watch for: Look for patterns, not one-offs. A single late start because of a bad commute is a lot different from a regular habit of coming in late. Also, notice how they end their day. Do they bolt right at 5:00 PM, or are they flexible enough to finish up a task or help a colleague? That’s the kind of detail which tells a lot about their commitment.

Break habits

Why it matters: Every workplace has its own rhythm for breaks. Some people take short breaks every hour, others power through until lunch. Watching a new hire’s break habits can tell you a lot about how they manage their energy and workload. 

What to watch for: See how they adapt to (or push back against) your team’s established break norms. Their approach can highlight what’s working and what’s not, and give you a sense of their self-management skills. Someone who never takes a break might be heading for burnout, while someone who’s constantly stepping away could be struggling with focus or prioritizing tasks.

Time in meetings

Why it matters: Meetings should be more than recurring calendar invites. They should serve a purpose: as opportunities to spark new ideas, move work forward, or connect with colleagues.

What to watch for: If your new hire is a manager, observing how they approach meetings provides insight into whether they see them as purposeful touchpoints or just time sinks. Pay attention to how a new hire’s calendar fills up. If it’s overloaded, it may suggest they’re sitting in on meetings without clear value—or resorting to micromanagement. If it’s too light, they may be missing key opportunities to build relationships.

Collaboration and communication

Why it matters: A new hire’s communication style can often be revealed through routine. How, when, and why they reach out to others offers valuable clues about how they’re integrating with the team and balancing independence with collaboration.

What to watch for: Look at how they start conversations—are they proactive, or do they wait for an emergency? Try to see if they prefer to take initiative to own tasks or remain dependent on others for direction. Pay attention to informal moments as well. A new hire who joins in on casual chats is likely integrating well, while someone who stays quiet might be struggling to connect.

Work habits and organization

Why it matters: A new hire’s general work habits can reveal how productive and reliable they’ll be over time. By watching how they handle their workload—what they do first and how they manage their time—you can get a sense of how well organized they are.

What to watch for: Does the new hire consistently follow through on tasks and balance high-priority projects with more mundane duties? Do they make good use of calendars and to-do lists for easier planning?

It’s also worth paying attention to pacing—are they making steady progress, or are they prone to last-minute rushes? You certainly want to see signs of a predictable and efficient workflow.

Making probation count: Don’t overlook routine 

Although probation decisions are usually guided by performance metrics, it’s important not to overlook the insights hidden in a new hire’s daily routine. Routine can reveal far more than you’ll see in formal check-ins or probation reviews. Performance metrics show outcomes, but routines reveal how those outcomes are achieved—and whether they’re sustainable.

During a probation period, it’s possible for someone to put on their “best behavior” and deliver polished performance under the spotlight. But sustaining that intensity day after day is far more difficult. That’s why routine is often a better reflection of a new hire’s true work ethic and long-term potential. By observing a new hire’s daily habits, such as punctuality and communication style, you can gain insight into how they’ll fit in over time.

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