What are the benefits of employee monitoring software?
Employee monitoring software can benefit your company in multiple ways, primarily regarding productivity and security. With features that allow you to track employee activity (e.g., mouse activity and keystroke logging, webcam recording), you can ensure your team is actively working at their computers when they say they are. Features like website tracking, content filtering and screen captures can help ensure your team is working on the proper websites and applications, instead of viewing content that is inappropriate or unrelated to work.
Monitoring your employees' device usage can be a good way to motivate them to use their time wisely. Some companies recommend holding performance meetings to evaluate how everyone is doing and note areas of improvement. Tracking and archiving employee activity can also be helpful if you need proof of a disgruntled former employee's poor behavior.
Employee monitoring software can also help protect your business and your network. For example, by using software monitoring features, you can be sure your team isn't viewing malicious websites or performing harmful activity. Features like email, USB and print monitoring are great for making sure confidential data isn't leaked. You can also use network monitoring to track the functionality of all your network components and reduce network downtime.
WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES OF EMPLOYEE MONITORING SOFTWARE?
Although there are many benefits to using employee monitoring software, there are a few potential disadvantages – the biggest one being a reduction in employee trust and morale. Employees may employee monitoring software as a lack of employer trust in them, which can eventually breed resentment and lower company morale. No one likes feeling like they are being watched, and employee monitoring software could be seen as a loss of privacy.
Employers must walk a fine line when implementing the software for the first time. To get employees on board with monitoring software and reduce the risk of employee turnover or resentment, explain your reasons for using the software and emphasize how it will benefit the company.
Another potential drawback is the amount of time it can take to condense and comprehend the data that is compiled from the software. This software offers a plethora of information that can help businesses improve security and streamline their processes, but it may take a little extra work to decipher the most important data points.
If you are implementing employee monitoring software for the first time, you should also be aware of the potential privacy and security risks. It may seem counterintuitive, since this software is meant to protect your network, but it is likely that you'll eventually stumble across private employee data, like health records or bank account information. To reduce this risk, make it clear to employees what they should and should not access on company devices.
What is silent mode?
You can run employee monitoring software in either stealth mode or transparent mode. Stealth mode, also known as silent mode, means employees aren't aware they are being monitored. Transparent monitoring is when your employees can see the surveillance program on their computers.
Is cloud or on-premises employee monitoring software better?
The best type of deployment depends on your business's preferences, and most of the top software applications offer both options. With an on-premises solution, you'll host the software and the data it collects on your own server – which means that you can keep your data as long as you want. But an on-premises solution requires more IT knowledge and can take longer to set up.
With cloud-based software, it's easier to manage and quicker to set up than on-premises deployment, and you don't have to have a server to store all your data. But you must trust the vendor to maintain and protect your data.
Is employee monitoring software secure?
For the most part, yes. Employee tracking software is designed to be installed on multiple computers, including an administrative station. For this type of program to work, you must first turn off your firewall. The firewall is turned back on once the installation is complete. This punctures a hole in your security system for a short period of time, making your network vulnerable to viruses, Trojans, spyware and other threats.
A word of caution: Some employee surveillance programs look legitimate but are really viruses in disguise. While it may give you keylogging and password-capturing capabilities, it collects this information behind the scenes to sell or use to breach your company's security measures. We did extensive research to ensure the legitimacy of each of the programs we reviewed. However, since most of these programs work around your firewall, it is still possible for other threats to pass through undetected.
Can I use an employee monitoring system for my remote team?
Yes, if your business owns the computers that your employees use, you can install computer monitoring software on them. You can even run monitoring on silent mode. But if your remote worker is using their personal computer for work, they're not likely to consent to having tracking software installed on it. One solution might be to use a transparent monitoring app like Hubstaff that only tracks usage when the employee is clocked in to work.
Will my employees know they are being monitored?
This depends on the software you use and the mode you deploy. For example, you can use employee monitoring software in stealth mode, which does not let your employees know they are being monitored.
Conversely, you can use employee monitoring software in transparent mode, which allows employees to see the surveillance software on their device.
It is up to you whether you inform your employees whether they are being surveilled or not. There are no current federal laws that require you to notify staff they are being monitored.
How do I get my team on board with employee monitoring software?
If an employee is using a company device to perform their work responsibilities, there is practically no expectation of privacy on said device. It is within your legal rights to install monitoring software to track their performance and productivity. However, just because it is legal doesn't always mean they will be excited about it.
To get your team on board with employee monitoring software, start with open communication. For example, workers are more likely to be receptive if they understand the reasoning behind it. Instead of secretly installing tracking software or letting your employees think you don't trust them, have a transparent discussion with your team to explain how the software can benefit your company. Focus on areas such as increased business security, employee development and overall productivity.