Over the last period of time, the hybrid format of work has gained wide popularity at a very rapid pace. Firstly, this is the result of the transition to distant work due to the coronavirus pandemic. In this context, much attention is paid to the topic of employee monitoring, which is actively implemented by various firms. Employee performance monitoring programs have become an integral part of team management in a combined work environment and are experiencing rapid growth, which causes both recognition and criticism.
The Purpose of Employee Monitoring
Worker monitoring is a procedure for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data related to the behaviour and performance of specialists within their work activities. The key task of such a process is to create an informative database that may help improve business processes, as well as increase the efficiency of teams.
Proponents of this approach argue that data on employee actions can provide valuable insights, which in turn will help identify optimal strategies for managing teams and increasing productivity. However, opponents of the idea, calling this phenomenon nannyware, point to a possible breach of trust between employers and workers, noting that excessive control may create barriers to creativity and free thinking.
Trends in the usage of employee monitoring
Because of the transition to a distant and hybrid work format, the popularity of monitoring software has increased. Research shows that the number of large firms actively using this tool has doubled since the beginning of the pandemic to 60 percent. Forecasts indicate that this figure may rise to 70% in the near future.
A diversity of employee monitoring methods
Employee monitoring methods may vary depending on business objectives and require an individual approach. As time passes, new tools have been created to help employers monitor their employees’ behavior more closely. This process has been especially intensified with the advent of a hybrid and remote work format.
Technology continues to change in response to new working conditions. At the same time, employers are beginning to ask the relevant question: “Do my employees remain as productive while working from home?” Some people are of the opinion that nannyware can provide an answer to this question.
In order to better understand the main pros and cons of employee monitoring, it is worth starting with a brief overview of the most popular tracking systems that are actively used to monitor employees.
Monitoring of Internet activity
One of the most common monitoring methods is monitoring the Internet activity of employees. Employers use special tools to track how employees use the Internet during working hours. Studying Internet activity helps to understand which resources contribute to productivity and which ones distract.
Internet filters are necessary to restrict access to unnecessary resources. For instance, social networks and entertainment platforms are blocked in a corporate environment from time to time. This gives employers the opportunity to focus on work tasks and minimize the impact of distractions.
Computer activity monitoring
This method goes beyond monitoring Internet activity. This includes monitoring the software that the specialist uses on his computer. Monitoring computer activity allows employers to obtain detailed information about how much time is spent on various tasks, which applications and programs are most often used by employees.
Modern monitoring software can combine many functions, such as tracking Internet activity, using applications and tracking work with emails. This gives employers a complete picture of their employees’ productivity.
Keylogging and webcam activation
Keylogging is one of the most controversial monitoring practices. This method involves recording all keystrokes on the keyboard, and sometimes even taking screenshots when a certain keyword is entered. Activating the webcam also allows employers to visually observe the work of employees.
While such methods can provide additional data on staff performance, they raise serious questions about confidentiality and legality. The use of keylogging causes leakage of personal data, in particular passwords and e-mail. In addition, the activation of a webcam can be perceived by employees as an invasion of personal space.
From a logical point of view, the use of such monitoring tools depends on the legislation of a particular country and region. For instance, in some places, employers are required to notify their employees of ongoing monitoring.
Monitoring of telephone and electronic messages
One of the most common monitoring tools is the monitoring of telephone conversations. Many of us are familiar with the phrase: “This call can be recorded in order to improve quality and training,” which sounds when contacting support services. Phone records help employers not only evaluate the quality of customer service, but also identify employee training and development needs.
In addition, email monitoring allows you to track employee activity in email communications. Companies can analyze both the number of emails sent and the content of the messages themselves. This is especially true for sales departments, where not only the number of contacts with customers is important, but also the quality of communication.
GPS tracking
GPS tracking is becoming an increasingly popular tool for companies using company cars or other types of vehicles. The key applications of GPS tracking are delivery services and courier companies, where it is important to monitor the location of employees in real time.
Using GPS allows businesses to optimize routes, record arrival and departure times, and improve employee safety. GPS monitoring helps ensure that employees use the most effective ways to complete their tasks, which ultimately has a positive effect on improving overall productivity.
Should employers monitor employees?
With the rapid digitalization of the workflow and the transition to remote formats, companies are facing new challenges. One of the most pressing issues is the need to monitor employees. In the context of flexible work schedules and remote work, employers are increasingly interested in tools that allow them to track the productivity of their employees. However, is it worth it? Let’s look at the main arguments for and against.
Advantages of employee monitoring
- Productivity improvement. One of the main arguments in favor of monitoring is the fact that employees, realizing their accountability, more often perform assigned tasks. This can lead to an increase in the total amount of work performed and an improvement in the quality of task completion.
- Performance assessment. Obtaining and analyzing data on the time spent on work tasks helps employers both track productivity and identify problems. This becomes the basis for changes in the corporate structure, as well as for optimizing work processes.
- Development of corporate policy. Understanding objective information about the activities of employees makes it possible to establish clearer rules and expected standards for completing tasks. This contributes to the creation of a transparent system where everyone understands their rights and responsibilities.
- Simplify payroll. Employee monitoring the time spent on duties can greatly simplify payroll processes, minimizing possible conflicts and errors.
- Increase Profitability. Reducing unnecessary interruptions and improving employee organization can improve overall business profitability.
Disadvantages of employee monitoring
On the other hand, freedom of work advocates emphasize a number of negative aspects of monitoring:
- Distrust. Monitoring can create the impression that an employer does not trust his employees. This, in turn, can lead to a decrease in morale and a decrease in overall job satisfaction.
- Dismissal of the best staff. Employees who feel constant control and distrust may decide to seek more favorable working conditions, which will lead to the loss of qualified specialists.
- Negative return on investment. The implementation of monitoring systems requires financial costs and resources. Irresponsible and excessive use of such tools can distract employees from their core responsibilities.
- Legal risks. Employers need to study the legislation on employee monitoring in advance in order to avoid possible legal consequences related to violation of employee privacy.
How do I find out if an employer is following you?
If you are concerned about possible monitoring of your actions, there are several steps to check this. For example, you can open the Task Manager on Windows or use the Activity Monitor on Mac to identify processes associated with monitoring programs. By conducting a simple search on the names of the found processes in Google, you can determine whether they belong to those.
However, the most reliable way to find out about your employer’s intentions is just to talk to him. In most cases, employers are required to notify employees of any form of monitoring.
Conclusion
The question of whether employers should monitor employees remains open. It is important to consider both the pros and cons of such practices. Each business is unique, so the decision should be made taking into account the corporate culture, the specifics of the work and the relationships within the team. How do you feel about this issue? Tell us about your experience in the comments!
