Don’t fret if you find yourself in a similar dilemma. To help you reach an informed decision, we’ll discuss the reasons to accept or decline jobs that use employee monitoring tools.
Reasons Why You Should Accept Jobs That Use Monitoring Tools
Contrary to popular belief, employee monitoring tools don’t just benefit supervisors. They have several features that could help create a safer, more productive environment for remote workers. Automatically labeling monitoring programs as invasive is hasty.
1. Employee Monitoring Tools Help You Stay Productive
Working from home gives you more time and flexibility. You won’t have supervisors breathing down your neck, so you’re free to manage your time any way you want. Unfortunately, not many remote employees can work for 8 hours straight. Interruptions like chores, childcare duties, visitors, social media, and family member requests distract them from their tasks.
One of the best ways to focus while working remotely is to use an employee monitoring tool. It forces you to work. You won’t feel tempted to slack off anymore if you know that your managers can see your screen.
2. Activity Trackers Make It Easy to Spot and Address Security Issues
Since remote managers can’t walk around stations and monitor workers acting unusually, tracking data breaches is more challenging. File access histories aren’t always accurate, since several apps can eliminate digital footprints.
Fortunately, employee monitoring tools support company asset management. Screen recordings and screenshots can help track down anyone who bypasses restrictions, accesses confidential files, or leaks sensitive data.
3. Screen Recordings Uncover Workplace Issues More Quickly
Workplace issues like interpersonal conflicts, discrimination, and harassment are tough to prove. Resolutions often take weeks. And if the victim doesn’t have sufficient evidence, the parties involved typically end up with contradictory statements.
In instances like these, supervisors can use employee monitoring tools to ensure fair, objective judgments. Screen recordings, chat histories, and screenshots provide first-hand insights into any worker’s activities while on the clock. Settlements should never rely on unconfirmed claims.
4. Activity Trackers Highlight Workflow Bottlenecks
Workflow bottlenecks place unnecessary stress on employees. They work long hours to compensate for their supervisors’ poor management, thus creating a tense work environment. Disorganized production impedes efficiency.
While monitoring tools don’t wholly remove bottlenecks, they give managers accurate, reliable insights into their employees’ workflow. They help spot and resolve issues quickly. That way, employees can focus on finishing their tasks instead of working around production errors and system inefficiencies.
5. Monitoring Platforms Ensure Workplace Equality
Employee monitoring tools prevent credit stealing. The data they generate lets supervisors assess if employees do their assigned tasks or shove them onto someone else. Managers and workers alike won’t be able to take credit for another person’s work anymore.
Some tools even integrate with project management systems. Claiming, assigning, and ticking off projects in one place promotes workflow transparency.
Reasons Why You Should Decline Jobs That Use Monitoring Tools
Using employee monitoring tools promotes accountability and responsibility among remote workers. But some might still feel uncomfortable with them. Check out the common reasons why remote workers give up jobs that use monitoring programs.
1. Monitoring Tools Tread the Line Between Work and Personal Boundaries
Perhaps the main concern that workers have with monitoring tools is that they blur the line between work and personal boundaries. Employers would argue that employees shouldn’t waste company time. But it might feel uncomfortable knowing that your supervisors could easily access your screen during the workday.
If you opt for a job that uses trackers, install them on a work device. Most monitoring tools take scheduled screenshots, so running them on personal devices might expose private files or confidential information.
2. It’s Harder to Hire for Jobs That Use Activity Trackers
If you work in HR, expect to have a harder time recruiting workers for jobs that use monitoring tools. Again, many workers oppose trackers. Unless you’re filling a position that comes with an impressive compensation package, most applicants will turn down your offer.
Likewise, you won’t be able to maximize referral systems. You’ll probably need to convince your friends and colleagues about the benefits of using employee monitoring tools.
3. Managers Must Assess Screen Recordings for Them to Be Helpful
If your supervisor doesn’t maximize your team’s reports, your team won’t enjoy the security and efficiency that comes with using monitoring tools. They still require human effort to yield results. Screen recordings, activity data, and screenshots are useless unless assessed by a meticulous, skilled professional.
Sadly, you can’t guarantee that your manager will do their job. They should use the same trackers so that their supervisors can also assess their performance.
4. Employees Can Still Work Around Monitoring Tools
You’ll find several ways to work around monitoring tools. Quick hacks like using automated mouse movers and setting up second monitors can trick trackers into thinking you’re doing work-related activities. Many remote workers use these cheats now and then.
Although convenient, working around monitoring tools compromises their accuracy and reliability. Managers end up with incorrect assessments as a result. Since you can’t wholly stop your colleagues from doing these tricks, it might seem pointless to keep using trackers, honestly.
5. Activity Trackers Stop Workers From Interacting With Each Other
Employee monitoring tools discourage office banter. Employees would feel awkward using instant messaging platforms for casual chats during office hours, especially since trackers take random screenshots.
However, office banter boosts morale. Remote work often gets lonely, and one of the best ways to deal with loneliness when working from home is to chat with your colleagues.
Should You Accept a Remote Job That Uses Employee Monitoring Tools?
Don’t blindly dismiss remote jobs that require employee monitoring tools. Whether you should accept these positions or not will depend on a case-by-case basis. Weigh the advantages and disadvantages. For instance, even if you dislike being monitored, you might change your mind if the company offers above-average pay and career advancement opportunities.
Also, familiarize yourself with the most widely trusted employee monitoring software programs among employers. Not all tools are built the same. Read up on their features and sign up for demo accounts to better understand which programs you feel comfortable using.
