Many businesses now allow remote work in order to protect their workers’ productivity and safety in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. But managing a remote workforce has several difficulties, one of which is employee monitoring. For businesses to check the productivity and activity of their remote employees, employee monitoring software has become a crucial tool. In addition to outlining recommended practices for its application in a remote workforce, this article will address the advantages and disadvantages of employee monitoring software.
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Information from the Past
The idea of working remotely is not new. Remote employment was not, however, commonly used prior to the epidemic. The number of employees working remotely climbed by 159% between 2005 and 2017, according to a survey by FlexJobs and Global Workplace Analytics. Numerous benefits come with working remotely, such as enhanced work-life balance for individuals, lower overhead expenses, and higher productivity.
The drawbacks of remote employment include poor communication, a lack of oversight, and employee monitoring. To make sure that remote employees are effective and fully committed to their job, employee monitoring is essential.
Software for Monitoring Employees
Companies can keep an eye on the activities of their employees both on-site and off-site using monitoring software, a sort of technology. The use of social media, email, the internet, screen time, keystrokes, and mouse clicks are just a few of the activities that employee monitoring software may monitor.
Many forms of monitoring software
Software for employee monitoring comes in a variety of forms, including:
- Tracks the websites and programs that employees utilize via internet monitoring software.
- Software for recording staff computer displays allows for activity monitoring.
- Employers’ time spent on particular activities or projects is tracked by time-tracking software.
- Every keystroke and mouse click an employee makes is recorded by keylogging software.
- Employers who operate outside the workplace can be tracked using GPS monitoring software.
Features of Software for Employee Monitoring
Depending on the type of software being used, different monitoring software has different characteristics. However, the following are some typical attributes of monitoring software:
Tracking Activity
The most often used component of employee monitoring software is activity tracking. It keeps tabs on the computer usage of the staff, including the websites visited, the programs utilized, and the keystrokes typed. Managers can evaluate employee productivity and spot any inefficient behavior with the use of this function.
Video recording and screenshots
Managers can record recordings of staff computer screens or take screenshots using some employee monitoring software. This function can offer verifiable proof of any improper or banned conduct, such as accessing private data or going to forbidden websites.
Tracking Time
Another typical component of software for staff monitoring is time tracking. It enables managers to keep track of the time staff members spend on particular jobs or projects. Managers can use this function to spot places where staff may be wasting too much time or in need of further assistance.
Communication Surveillance
Managers may keep an eye on what their staff members are saying via instant messaging, email, and other channels by using communication monitoring. Managers can evaluate employee performance and spot any inappropriate or unprofessional communication with the use of this function.
Tracking locations with GPS
Using their mobile devices, managers can use GPS and location monitoring to monitor the whereabouts of their staff members. For field workers or remote personnel, this capability is especially helpful. Managers can use it to keep an eye on workers’ whereabouts, keep track of their working hours, and monitor their activity.
Productivity Evaluation
A component called productivity analysis examines staff productivity using information gathered from other monitoring features. It can give managers perceptions into worker behavior and point out places where they might increase productivity.
Data Analysis and Reporting
Managers can make reports using reporting and analytics, and they can also examine employee data gathered by the monitoring software. Managers can use this functionality to find patterns, evaluate employee performance, and make data-driven choices.
Software for monitoring employee activity is one way for businesses to keep tabs on what their staff members are doing online and at their workstations. The information provided by this program on how employees operate, what they are working on, and how productive they are can be quite helpful. The following are some advantages of employing monitoring software in a remote workforce:
Productivity gains as a result of employee monitoring software
The ability to increase productivity is one of the main advantages of monitoring software. Employers can spot productivity gaps and inefficiencies by monitoring how employees spend their time. For instance, if a worker spends excessive amounts of time on social media or other websites unrelated to work, the company might address this and promote more focused work.
Increased security
The ability to improve security is yet another advantage of employee monitoring software. Companies now confront additional security issues as a result of more workers working remotely, including data breaches, unauthorized access to corporate data, and cyberattacks. Employers can spot possible security hazards and take precautions to prevent them by watching how employees use their computers and workstations.
Following all corporate rules and policies
Monitoring software can also assist businesses in ensuring adherence to company rules and regulations. The program can assist in ensuring that staff members are abiding by corporate policies, for instance, if those regulations concern the usage of company equipment, such as computers and mobile devices. The software can also assist in ensuring that staff members adhere to the proper procedures if a company is subject to legal regulations like HIPAA or GDPR.
A better use of time
Software for employee monitoring can also assist staff members in better time management. Employees can enhance their productivity by identifying places where they spend too much time by measuring their actions. For instance, if staff members find that they are spending too much time checking email, they may decide to restrict their email checking to certain periods of the day to make more time for other activities.
Increased openness
The use of monitoring tools can also improve communication between companies and employees. Employees can monitor their own time use and find opportunities for improvement by having access to their own monitoring data. By demonstrating a commitment to guaranteeing their success and productivity, companies may gain the trust of their workforce.