Did you know that 16% of companies exclusively hire remote workers?
It can be hard to know how to measure the productivity of remote employees since you can’t just walk over to their desks and watch them work.
Without a way to track employee performance, it can be difficult to determine whether or not your remote team is meeting your expectations. You may not even know if they’re working at all!
Luckily, there are ways to perform an employee performance review even when they’re not in the office.
No worries – I’m here to help share these insights with you.
As you probably know I’m a bestselling author and award winning designer – with about 2 million books and courses sold globally.
I offer a range of online marketing tools in my course: How To Make Profitable Courses – Without The Overwhelm.
Plus I offer Peak Performance Coaching for individuals and corporate teams.
I love helping people to live their most successful and fulfilling lives.
So I decided to put together this article with tips and tricks for measuring productivity from afar.
What Is Remote Employee Monitoring?
The practice of tracking employee performance is not new, but with the rise of remote work, employers are increasingly turning to remote employee monitoring software to track employee productivity.
Remote employee monitoring software is a type of tracking software that allows employers to see how their employees are spending their time while working remotely. This includes tracking employee email, internet usage, chat, and even GPS location.
What Are the Benefits of Remote Monitoring Software?
There are many benefits to using remote employee monitoring software. These benefits include:
Increased Productivity
By being able to see how employees are spending their time using time tracking apps, employers can identify areas where employees are wasting time or not being productive. You can then use this information to make changes that will improve employee productivity.
For example, if employers see that employees are spending a lot of time on personal phone calls, they may decide to institute a new policy banning personal calls during work hours.
Alternatively, if employers see that employees are spending a lot of time on social media, they may decide to provide more training on how to use social media in a way that is beneficial for the company. By closely monitoring employee time usage, employers can make changes that will lead to improved productivity and a more efficient workplace.
Improved Communication
By being able to see how employees are spending their time, employers can identify areas where employees need more communication or training. This can help to improve both individual performance and team productivity.
In addition, remote employee monitoring software can also help to reduce the risk of human error, as well as improve compliance with company policies and procedures. As a result, this type of software can be a valuable tool for any employer looking to improve communication and collaboration within their organization.
Better Time Management
Time management is a crucial skill for any employee, and it can often be improved with the help of technology. Remote employee monitoring software can give employers and employees a better understanding of how time is being used during the workday.
By being able to see which tasks are taking up the most time, employers can identify areas where employees could be using their time more efficiently. In addition, employees can use the data from the software to help them plan their time more effectively and make sure that they are staying on task.
As a result, remote employee monitoring software can have a significant impact on both productivity and morale. Increased Efficiency
Remote employee monitoring software can also help increase the efficiency of an organization as a whole. By being able to see how employees are spending their time, employers can identify areas where the organization could be more efficient.
It Aids in Company Privacy and Security
Another significant benefit of remote employee monitoring software is that it helps protect the privacy and security of an organization. By being able to monitor employee activity, employers can make sure that employees are following best practices for data privacy and security.
As a result, remote employee monitoring software is a valuable tool for any organization that wants to protect its information.
Verify Employees’ Locations
In an increasingly globalized workforce, more and more employees are working remotely. While this arrangement has many benefits, it can also pose challenges for employers who want to verify that their employees are in the location they say they are. One solution is to use remote employee monitoring software that tracks GPS locations.
You can then use this software to confirm that an employee is where they say they are, and you can also use it to monitor employee productivity. In some cases, you can even use it to track employee movements during work hours.
By using this type of software, employers can ensure that their employees are meeting their expectations and fulfilling their obligations.
What Are the Drawbacks of Remote Monitoring Software?
There are also some drawbacks to using remote employee monitoring software. These drawbacks include:
Privacy Concerns
Some employees may feel that their privacy is being invaded when their employer uses remote employee monitoring software. This is especially true if the software tracks employee GPS location or chat messages.
Data Security Concerns
Another concern with remote employee monitoring software is data security. If the software is not properly secured, it could allow hackers to access sensitive employee data.
It Can Be Misused
Another disadvantage of remote employee monitoring software is that it can be misused by employers. For example, an employer could use the software to track employee email or chat without the employee’s knowledge or consent.
This could lead to employees feeling like they are being spied on and could damage employer-employee trust.
How to Choose the Right Remote Monitoring Software
If you are considering using remote employee monitoring software, there are a few things you should keep in mind to ensure you choose the right software for your needs.
What Features Do You Need?
First, consider what features you need. Not all remote monitoring software is created equal, and some software may have more or fewer features than you need.
Consider what features are most important to you and make sure the software you choose has those features.
How Much Does It Cost?
Another factor to consider is cost. Remote monitoring software can range in price from free to several hundred dollars per month. Consider your budget and choose software that fits within your budget.
Is It Easy to Use?
Finally, consider how easy the software is to use. You will want to choose software that is easy to set up and use so you can get started tracking employee productivity as quickly as possible.
By keeping these factors in mind, you can be sure to choose the right remote employee monitoring software for your needs.
What Are the Best Remote Employee Monitoring Software?
The best remote employee monitoring software will depend on your specific needs. Some of the best remote employee monitoring software include:
Time Doctor
Time Doctor is a time tracking and productivity monitoring software that you can use for remote workers. Time Doctor has a desktop app, a web app, and a mobile app. It also integrates with over 50 popular tools, including Slack, Trello, Asana, and Google Calendar.
RescueTime
RescueTime is another popular time tracking and productivity monitoring software. RescueTime has a desktop app and a web app. It also integrates with over 50 popular tools, including Slack, Trello, Asana, and Google Calendar.
Toggl
Toggl is another time tracking and productivity monitoring software that can be used for remote employees. Toggl has a desktop app, a web app, and a mobile app. It also integrates with over 50 popular tools, including Slack, Trello, Asana, and Google Calendar.
Hubstaff
Hubstaff is another popular time tracking and productivity monitoring software. Hubstaff has a desktop app, a web app, and a mobile app. It also integrates with over 50 popular tools, including Slack, Trello, Asana, and Google Calendar.
Workbright
This is the tool that we highly recommend for remote team productivity tracking. Workbright is a cloud-based employee performance management software that helps businesses manage and improve employee performance.
You can check out Workbright here: https://workbright.com/
Important Factors to Consider When Tracking Remote Employees
There are several factors to consider when tracking the performance of remote employees. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
1. Define Clear Objectives and Expectations
When setting goals for your remote team, be as specific as possible. This will help ensure that everyone is on the same page and knows what is expected of them.
2. Use Data-Driven Criteria
Baseline each employee’s performance using data-driven criteria such as key performance indicators (KPIs). This will help you identify areas of improvement and track progress over time.
3. Communicate Regularly
Make sure to check in with your remote team regularly to provide feedback and address any concerns. Open communication is essential for ensuring that everyone is on the same page.
4. Use Technology to Your Advantage
There are several tools and technologies available to help you track remote employee performance. Utilize these to your advantage to make the process as efficient and effective as possible.
5. Be Flexible
Remember that not every team member will be able to work at the same pace or in the same way. Be flexible and accommodating to individual needs to ensure that everyone can perform at their best.
6. Encourage Collaboration
Encourage team members to collaborate and communicate with one another. This will help build relationships and trust, both of which are essential for effective teamwork.
7. Celebrate Successes
Make sure to celebrate successes along the way. This will help keep morale high and motivate your team to continue performing at their best.
8. Be Patient
Building a high-performing remote team takes time. Be patient and don’t expect overnight results. Focus on the long-term goal and trust that your team will get there eventually.
What Remote Monitoring Tools Can You Use to Track Productivity?
To track remote employee productivity, you’ll need to use the right tools. Here are a few popular options:
1. Time Tracking Software
Time tracking software can be used to monitor how much time employees spend working on specific tasks. This information can help identify areas of improvement and increase efficiency.
2. Communication Tools
Communication tools such as Slack or Zoom can be used to stay in touch with remote team members and ensure that everyone is on the same page. These tools can also be used to share files and collaborate on projects.
3. Productivity Tracker
You can explore using a productivity tracker such as RescueTime or DeskTime. They can be used to monitor employee activity levels and identify patterns of behavior. This information can help increase productivity and identify areas for improvement.
4. Employee Monitoring Software
Check out employee monitoring software such as Hubstaff or TimeDoctor. They can be used to track employee activity levels, monitor computer usage, and take screenshots of employees’ workstations. This information can help ensure that employees are working efficiently and effectively.
5. CRM Software
CRM software can be used to track customer interactions, sales data, and other important information. This information can help understand customer needs and improve customer service.
6. Project Management Software
Project management software such as Trello or Asana can be used to track project progress, deadlines, and assigned tasks. This information can help ensure that projects are on track and that everyone is aware of their responsibilities.
7. Reporting Tools
Reporting tools such as Google Analytics or Tableau can be used to generate reports on employee performance. This information can help identify areas of improvement and track progress over time.
8. Feedback Tool
A feedback tool such as SurveyMonkey or Qualtrics can be used to collect feedback from employees regularly. This information can help understand employee satisfaction levels and identify areas for improvement.
Start Tracking Employee Performance Today
Measuring the productivity of remote teams can be tricky, but it’s not impossible. By using the right tools and techniques, you can track employee performance effectively and ensure that your remote team is meeting your business goals.
If you want to learn more about how to measure the productivity of remote teams, bring me in for Peak Performance Coaching. I have a wealth of information on everything you need to know from hiring remote workers to building an effective virtual team culture.
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