Screen Monitoring Software – What are the Pros and Cons of Its Usage? | #hrmanagement #hrexecutive

Being aware of how employees spend their work hours is critical to the growth of a business. According to Mckinsey, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to businesses adopting remote working. According to Upwork 2021 report, about 68% of hiring managers prefer remote working. The increasing need for employee screen monitoring has led to an increase in demand for screen monitoring software. While there are numerous benefits linked to the use of this software, there are some disadvantages users need to be aware of. 

Should you be using remote employee monitoring software? Find out more about how it works, along with its pros and cons, and decide for yourself. Below is a list of the pros and cons of the software for employee monitoring. 

Pros of Using Employee Tracking Software

1.Real-time Activity Levels Help You Identify Productivity Trends

Management thinker Peter Drucker is often quoted as saying that “you can’t manage what you can’t measure.” Drucker means that you can’t know whether or not you are successful unless success is defined and tracked. Activity rates based on mouse and keyboard usage can illuminate productivity trends over time. This can help employers to identify high levels and recognize them. Similarly, it also helps to spot potential bottlenecks and check-in. Time and activity data can help employers to prepare more accurate estimates, budget better.

2. Increased Employee Productivity and Team Performance

If employees are aware they are being monitored, they become more efficient and conscious of their actions thus increasing productivity and profits. Also, companies are able to spot employees who are under-performing. For example, with the time-tracking tool, the time-in, break time and time-out of each employee can be monitored and those who report to work late, spend extra time during break time or spend a lot of time going through social media pages can be detected. 

3. Increased Savings

Implementation of work tool surveillance tools has been proven to be money-saving because when employees are monitored, their productivity increases. Increased productivity means employees are productive during the time employers are paying them. This reduces waste and increases savings. 

4. Cost Effectiveness

Most employee monitoring software are affordable and cost effective. The amount you pay depends on the features you requested for. With this little fee, you can save your company from employee monitoring hassles and increase productivity.

5. Protection of Company Data

The software alerts business owners each time someone wants to gain unpermitted access to the company’s data. It notifies the business owner of people who accessed their data and for how long. They can also monitor websites visited, files saved and protect the company from security threats and insider breach.

Cons of Using Employee Monitoring Software

1. Understanding the Data Can Be Time-consuming

Employers may find it difficult to interpret the reports from such software except for the ones that present simplified reports. 

2. Employees May Feel Monitored and Pressured

The feeling of being monitored may make the employees develop a feeling of resentment for their employer and this negatively impacts on the growth of the business. Knowing they are always monitored makes them feel their employer does not trust them. To avoid problems like this, they should be informed and be actively involved in the implementation. They need to understand they are not being victimized and that the policy is only targeted at improving the company’s performance.

3. Potential Threat to Employees Privacy

Regularly monitoring employee activities increases the chances of employers stumbling on employees’ confidential documents. These documents can be misused by hackers, if they successfully gain access to the computer used in the tracking. 

Installation of the employee screen monitoring software requires adequate considerations and proper planning to ensure minimal resistance from employees and prevent breach of employee rights. The 9 tools for managing remote employees from Gethppy.com may be helpful, if you experience challenges.

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