{"id":25566,"date":"2023-01-09T16:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-01-09T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timingapp.com\/blog\/?p=25566"},"modified":"2023-12-07T11:49:57","modified_gmt":"2023-12-07T10:49:57","slug":"employee-monitoring-vs-time-tracking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timingapp.com\/blog\/employee-monitoring-vs-time-tracking\/","title":{"rendered":"Employee Monitoring vs. Time Tracking: How to Help Your Team Do Their Best Work"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1125\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/timingapp.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Employee-Monitoring-vs-Time-Tracking-How-to-Help-Your-Team-Do-Their-Best-Work.webp\" alt=\"This article explains Employee Monitoring vs. Time Tracking and why traditional employee monitoring is too heavy-handed for modern workers.\" class=\"wp-image-25575\" srcset=\"https:\/\/timingapp.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Employee-Monitoring-vs-Time-Tracking-How-to-Help-Your-Team-Do-Their-Best-Work.webp 1125w, https:\/\/timingapp.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Employee-Monitoring-vs-Time-Tracking-How-to-Help-Your-Team-Do-Their-Best-Work-770x513.webp 770w, https:\/\/timingapp.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Employee-Monitoring-vs-Time-Tracking-How-to-Help-Your-Team-Do-Their-Best-Work-300x200.webp 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1125px) 100vw, 1125px\" \/><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>According to a <a href=\"https:\/\/documentcloud.adobe.com\/link\/review?uri=urn%3Aaaid%3Ascds%3AUS%3A25ef03e6-a4f7-4084-aa25-40807e3d66fa#pageNum=2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">survey by MIT<\/a>, 34% of the US workforce has shifted to some type of remote work arrangement. The COVID-19 pandemic didn\u2019t start the remote work trend, but it certainly accelerated it. For many businesses, the only options were to transition to remote work or close down.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>This shift presents a challenge for some employers and team leaders. Where once they could monitor their team\u2019s progress by simply roaming the office and having casual conversations, now they need to enlist digital tools to collect data on how their teams spend their time.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Because of this shift, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pewresearch.org\/fact-tank\/2020\/05\/04\/how-americans-see-digital-privacy-issues-amid-the-covid-19-outbreak\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">some people are fearful of personal data security<\/a>. We know the benefits of having our data harvested and analyzed, but we\u2019re also aware of the risks. If a company doesn\u2019t handle our data appropriately, we become exposed to abuse and privacy violations. The potential dangers make many people wary of digital tracking tools that monitor our actions, what we create, and the types of information we access.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>As an employer or team leader, you naturally want information regarding the activities and productivity of your team. You need that data to make intelligent business decisions. But how much is too much? What are the appropriate types of information to track? Like many employers, you\u2019re probably wrestling with these questions and more.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>There are two main options for studying your team\u2019s work and helping them do their best: employee monitoring and time tracking. This article explains these options and why traditional employee monitoring is too heavy-handed for modern workers.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\n\r\n<span class='bctt-click-to-tweet'><span class='bctt-ctt-text'><a href='https:\/\/x.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftimingapp.com%2Fblog%2Femployee-monitoring-vs-time-tracking%2F&#038;text=As%20an%20employer%20or%20team%20leader%2C%20you%20naturally%20want%20information%20regarding%20the%20activities%20and%20productivity%20of%20your%20team.%20You%20need%20that%20data%20to%20make%20intelligent%20business%20decisions.%20But%20how%20much%20is%20too%20much%3F&#038;via=timingapp&#038;related=timingapp' target='_blank'rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">As an employer or team leader, you naturally want information regarding the activities and productivity of your team. You need that data to make intelligent business decisions. But how much is too much? <\/a><\/span><a href='https:\/\/x.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftimingapp.com%2Fblog%2Femployee-monitoring-vs-time-tracking%2F&#038;text=As%20an%20employer%20or%20team%20leader%2C%20you%20naturally%20want%20information%20regarding%20the%20activities%20and%20productivity%20of%20your%20team.%20You%20need%20that%20data%20to%20make%20intelligent%20business%20decisions.%20But%20how%20much%20is%20too%20much%3F&#038;via=timingapp&#038;related=timingapp' target='_blank' class='bctt-ctt-btn'rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Share on X<\/a><\/span>\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is Employee Monitoring?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1125\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/timingapp.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Employee-Monitoring.jpeg\" alt=\"This article explains Employee Monitoring vs. Time Tracking and why traditional employee monitoring is too heavy-handed for modern workers.\" class=\"wp-image-25567\" srcset=\"https:\/\/timingapp.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Employee-Monitoring.jpeg 1125w, https:\/\/timingapp.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Employee-Monitoring-770x513.jpeg 770w, https:\/\/timingapp.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Employee-Monitoring-300x200.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1125px) 100vw, 1125px\" \/><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Employee monitoring refers to the practice of tracking and monitoring employees&#8217; actions and behaviors while working. You can do this for various reasons, including ensuring that employees are working efficiently and effectively, protecting company assets, preventing data breaches or other security incidents, and complying with legal and regulatory requirements.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>There are several ways to implement employee monitoring. For example, it can involve monitoring employee computer and internet usage, tracking employee location or attendance, monitoring phone and email communications, and observing employee behavior through cameras or other monitoring devices.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Employee monitoring can be controversial, as it raises privacy concerns, and employees may perceive it as a lack of trust. Companies must have explicit policies written that outline the types of monitoring they will conduct, the reasons for the monitoring, and the rights and expectations of employees. Companies should also ensure that they act according to relevant laws and regulations regarding employee privacy.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is Time Tracking?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1125\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/timingapp.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/time-tracking.webp\" alt=\"This article explains Employee Monitoring vs. Time Tracking and why traditional employee monitoring is too heavy-handed for modern workers.\" class=\"wp-image-25568\" srcset=\"https:\/\/timingapp.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/time-tracking.webp 1125w, https:\/\/timingapp.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/time-tracking-770x513.webp 770w, https:\/\/timingapp.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/time-tracking-300x200.webp 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1125px) 100vw, 1125px\" \/><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Time tracking involves measuring and recording the time that employees spend on various tasks and projects. This can be done using time sheets, time clocks, or time tracking software. Time tracking is often used to improve project management, allocate resources, and bill clients for work completed. It can also be useful for employees who want to better understand how they are using their time and identify ways to be more efficient.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>There are several ways to implement employee time tracking. For example, it can involve employees manually recording their start and end times each day, using time clocks or other electronic systems to record when employees come and go, or using time tracking software to automatically record and track employee hours.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Employee time tracking can be a valuable tool for both employers and employees. For employers time tracking is often used to improve project management, allocate resources, and bill clients for work completed. For employees it can also be useful to better understand how they are using their time and identify ways to be more efficient, and to provide a clear record of their hours, which can be important for tracking pay and benefits.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Employee Monitoring vs. Time Tracking<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>It\u2019s unmistakable that employee monitoring and time tracking are similar. However, their differences are distinct enough that you\u2019ll notice a stark difference in employee reception.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The most crucial difference is invasiveness. Employee monitoring watches <em>everything<\/em>. In some cases, employers monitor their team members\u2019 screens. They might log their keystrokes. Sometimes they even engage web cameras on devices to watch their employees directly. Employee monitoring collects <em>a lot<\/em> of information that often leaves employees feeling uncomfortable.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Time tracking, however, focuses on the tasks and activities the team performs, not the team members themselves. It\u2019s more concerned about the <em>work<\/em>, whereas employee monitoring concerns the <em>worker<\/em>.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Employee Monitoring and Team Culture<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1260\" height=\"708\" src=\"https:\/\/timingapp.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Employee-Monitoring-and-Team-Culture.webp\" alt=\"This article explains Employee Monitoring vs. Time Tracking and why traditional employee monitoring is too heavy-handed for modern workers.\" class=\"wp-image-25569\" srcset=\"https:\/\/timingapp.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Employee-Monitoring-and-Team-Culture.webp 1260w, https:\/\/timingapp.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Employee-Monitoring-and-Team-Culture-770x433.webp 770w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1260px) 100vw, 1260px\" \/><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Generally speaking, employee monitoring lends itself to a more toxic work culture and a distrustful relationship between employees and employers. It\u2019s hard to feel comfortable at work when you know someone is watching and recording everything you do, no matter how trivial.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/two-in-three-say-workplace-surveillance-culture-would-discourage-them-from-working-for-an-organisation-300897783.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Two out of three people<\/a> hesitate to join an organization after learning they take such robust monitoring measures. Facial recognition technology, physical health monitoring, and extensive camera surveillance are causes of significant employee discomfort in onboarding.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The primary effect of employee monitoring is resentment. If you track your people extensively, they assume you don\u2019t trust them. In turn, they won\u2019t trust you. This mistrust creates a culture of stress, anxiety, and conflict. Instead of focusing on being productive and producing good work, teams can become consumed in the \u201cus vs. them\u201d adversarial relationship with their leaders.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>In an era of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/sections\/money\/2022\/09\/13\/1122059402\/the-economics-behind-quiet-quitting-and-what-we-should-call-it-instead\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">quiet quitting<\/a> where employees abandon hustle culture and perform only well enough to maintain their employment, the last thing you want to do is give them a reason to check out mentally from their job.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>That doesn\u2019t mean employee monitoring is always bad, however. Employers should monitor their employees in some situations. For instance, police officers, medical professionals who see young children, and technicians who access food ingredients or medicines are often recorded at all times while at work. This monitoring is for everyone\u2019s safety, though. Some professionals even <em>prefer<\/em> their employers to monitor them because that data can acquit them of damaging accusations.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Implementing Time Tracking<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>We\u2019ve previously touched on the crucial steps to <a href=\"https:\/\/timingapp.com\/blog\/introduce-time-tracking\/\">introduce time tracking to your team<\/a>. If you plan to start time tracking for your team, we strongly recommend reading that guide to facilitate a smooth transition.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Here, we\u2019d like to offer some tips to implement time tracking regarding your culture and work environment. We aim to help you avoid the potential harmful cultural changes of implementing an invasive system like employee monitoring <em>and <\/em>help your teams perform their best work.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Make Time Tracking Simple<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>There may be a sense of unease amidst your team when you start tracking their time, but that discomfort will be far more significant if the time-tracking process is complex and arduous. Using a time-tracking solution that&#8217;s simple and doesn&#8217;t require much additional work from your team is essential.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Timing is a powerful option here because it tracks time automatically. There are no \u201cstart\u201d and \u201cstop\u201d buttons to press; no timers to engage. It automatically tracks all of the apps, file destinations, and URLs of your team\u2019s work and consolidates everything into an easy-to-read visual dashboard. If you need to produce reports for clients, Timing lets you generate accurate time sheets at the press of a button. It even integrates with your calendar so you can track every billable moment.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2310\" height=\"1376\" src=\"https:\/\/timingapp.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/no-start-stop-timers-2310x1376.png\" alt=\"This article explains Employee Monitoring vs. Time Tracking and why traditional employee monitoring is too heavy-handed for modern workers.\" class=\"wp-image-25570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/timingapp.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/no-start-stop-timers-2310x1376.png 2310w, https:\/\/timingapp.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/no-start-stop-timers-770x459.png 770w, https:\/\/timingapp.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/no-start-stop-timers-1540x918.png 1540w, https:\/\/timingapp.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/no-start-stop-timers-1536x915.png 1536w, https:\/\/timingapp.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/no-start-stop-timers-2048x1220.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2310px) 100vw, 2310px\" \/><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Notify Your Entire Team<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Before implementing time tracking for your team, notify everyone involved. We can\u2019t stress enough how important it is that no one feels caught off-guard. Remote employees will need to install the app on their work devices, which could serve as a notification, but we urge you to send notice before an automated email. If your team works in-house, you\u2019ll handle the installation of their apps, but it remains meaningful to notify them before you begin tracking their time. You may want to discuss the transition openly well in advance to ensure your employees feel heard and you can assuage their fears.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Learn the lesson of Barclays, a UK-based bank, who <a href=\"https:\/\/www.currentware.com\/blog\/privacy-tips-monitoring-employees\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">made the mistake of installing productivity monitoring tools<\/a> on their employees\u2019 workstations without their knowledge or consent. One day, employees began receiving automated messages about their activity level. Since Barclays never mentioned the new software, employees feared their employer would use their activity data against them, including when they stepped away from their computer to use the bathroom or take lunch. The ambiguity and lack of preparation damaged the workplace culture.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Place a Focus on Privacy<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>As we said earlier, one of the main objections to invasive systems like employee monitoring is the way they make <em>all tracking information<\/em> available to the employer. Most team members simply aren\u2019t comfortable with that kind of openness.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>It\u2019s critical to use a time-tracking solution that makes privacy a priority. In Timing, <a href=\"https:\/\/timingapp.com\/help\/teams\">team members can report time towards shared team projects<\/a>. Team admins only see aggregate times associated with team projects, not the individual apps, documents, and websites used. No personal times, private details, or non-team projects are shared.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1540\" height=\"909\" src=\"https:\/\/timingapp.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/teams.png\" alt=\"This article explains Employee Monitoring vs. Time Tracking and why traditional employee monitoring is too heavy-handed for modern workers.\" class=\"wp-image-25571\" srcset=\"https:\/\/timingapp.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/teams.png 1540w, https:\/\/timingapp.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/teams-770x455.png 770w, https:\/\/timingapp.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/teams-1536x907.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1540px) 100vw, 1540px\" \/><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Furthermore, avoid prying into your team\u2019s personal lives. Don\u2019t ask them for information about how they spend their time outside work. Don\u2019t ask them to install other monitoring apps on their work computer. While time-tracking apps like Timing can sync time-tracking data across multiple devices, never ask them to store it on their personal devices.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Share the Benefits with the Team<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Time tracking offers <a href=\"https:\/\/timingapp.com\/blog\/time-tracking-remote-teams\/\">several productivity benefits<\/a>, especially for remote teams. As an employer or team leader, you will undoubtedly enjoy these benefits shortly after implementing a time-tracking system.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>It\u2019s important to share these benefits with your team, even the financial ones. For instance, if time tracking helps you identify ways for your team to work faster, don\u2019t respond by filling up that spare time with more work. Let them enjoy the time savings, too. If time tracking improves your billing practices and generates more revenue, share that income with your team. If your team feels the time tracking benefits in <em>their <\/em>lives, they will be more inclined to participate.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Create Clear Boundaries Between Work and Personal Activities<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The major drawback of employee monitoring is that it tracks <em>everything. <\/em>Some employee monitoring systems even go so far as to use GPS to track mobile devices.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Time tracking is far less invasive since it focuses on <em>work<\/em> rather than <em>people. <\/em>Nevertheless, it\u2019s wise to set clear boundaries between what you track and what you don\u2019t from the onset of the new system. Your team will be free to use their devices for personal use without fear that you\u2019re looking over their shoulder. It also allows them to work on their projects, serve other clients, or start a side hustle without interfering with your activities.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The best way to accomplish all this is with a time-tracking tool that offers strong project and client organization tools. In Timing, you can organize tasks by client or project. Timing will automatically sort your activities based on your pre-set filters. It will even make smart suggestions to help keep you organized.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1540\" height=\"918\" src=\"https:\/\/timingapp.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/organization-tools.png\" alt=\"This article explains Employee Monitoring vs. Time Tracking and why traditional employee monitoring is too heavy-handed for modern workers.\" class=\"wp-image-25572\" srcset=\"https:\/\/timingapp.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/organization-tools.png 1540w, https:\/\/timingapp.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/organization-tools-770x459.png 770w, https:\/\/timingapp.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/organization-tools-1536x916.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1540px) 100vw, 1540px\" \/><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Have Honest Discussions About Time Tracking<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>A simple way to make your team feel comfortable about using time tracking is to discuss it openly and honestly with the team. You\u2019ll also find this is the path to maximizing its efficiency. Have healthy conversations with your team about their work performances. Make it clear that you are looking only for ways everyone can improve, get more value out of their time, and improve their work\/life balance.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Avoid using accusatory language, criticizing their productivity, or blaming them for not working fast enough. If you antagonize your team, they might find ways to misrepresent their time or decline to use your time-tracking app, thus nullifying your efforts.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Your language choices are important here. Instead of asking, \u201cWhy did that website take so long?\u201d ask, \u201cWhat resources can I provide to make projects like this easier for you without causing you stress?\u201d That phrasing should result in your team thinking about how they can be more effective and not about if they upset you.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. Only Use Data For its Declared Purpose<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>No matter what kind of data you track on your employees and team members, it&#8217;s essential that you only use that data for its intended purpose. If you abuse the data by using it for other reasons, your employees will lose trust in the time-tracking program and you as a leader.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>For instance, suppose you tell your team that you will only use the time tracking data to ensure accurate billing of your clients. However, later you begin to use the data to measure each member\u2019s performance. In this case, your team would feel you are using the time-tracking system unfairly. They might begin to wonder how else you could be using the data.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8. Don\u2019t Use Time Tracking as the Sole Performance Indicator<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>While it\u2019s fine to use time tracking data as a factor in how you review each team member\u2019s performance, it should not be the <em>only<\/em> factor. Time tracking is a valuable tool, but it can\u2019t measure the <em>quality<\/em> of one\u2019s work. That requires good leadership skills. For the sake of your team and the health of your organization, it\u2019s better to take a holistic approach to your team\u2019s performance by analyzing the whole picture, not just their activity log.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Furthermore, it\u2019s important not to make high-impact decisions based solely on the time-tracking data. Big decisions (such as promotions, salary, and contract renewals) require careful consideration. Time tracking data records the logistics of work but not the quality. When you do make such decisions, consider using <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leapsome.com\/comparisons\/compensation-management-software\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">compensation management software<\/a> to ensure your employees are treated fairly and receive motivating compensation.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">9. Look at Trends, Not Individual Occurrences<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Generally, aggregated data is almost always more accurate and reliable than individual data points. A single data point is subject to outlier behavior and, therefore, is not a good indicator of anything.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>In time tracking, it\u2019s essential to look at multiple data points of your team\u2019s performance rather than a single task. For example, suppose a team member designed a poster in 45 minutes. That doesn\u2019t mean all signs take 45 minutes. You\u2019ll need to average multiple data points (in this case, multiple poster design sessions) to understand how long this task takes.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Besides the accuracy benefits of using multiple data points, it also feels much less invasive to your employees. If you were to question them about a <em>single<\/em> task, they would likely feel like you were micromanaging them. However, if you approach them about a <em>trend<\/em> of team tasks, they would probably be more receptive to having an objective conversation about their performance (especially if you were positive, polite, and solution-focused).&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Data Without Being Invasive<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>As an employer or team leader, you naturally want information on your team&#8217;s performance. Every data point you collect has the potential to make your team a more effective unit.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>However, some organizations go overboard with invasive employee monitoring. These extensive systems often go too far in tracking your team. Instead, a better solution is to use time tracking to capture activity data without violating your team\u2019s privacy.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Now that you understand the drawbacks of employee monitoring and the benefits of time tracking, use the steps we outlined above to implement a time tracking system that works well for your team. It\u2019s entirely possible to collect valuable data without ruining your work culture.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Ready to implement time tracking for your team? <a href=\"https:\/\/timingapp.com\/download\/Timing.dmg\">Download a 30-day free trial of Timing<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>According to a survey by MIT, 34% of the US workforce has shifted to some type of remote work arrangement. The COVID-19 pandemic didn\u2019t start the remote work trend, but it certainly accelerated it. For many businesses, the only options were to transition to remote work or close down.&nbsp; This shift presents a challenge for [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"Employee Monitoring vs. Time Tracking","_yoast_wpseo_title":"Employee Monitoring vs. Time Tracking","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"This article explains Employee Monitoring vs. Time Tracking and why traditional employee monitoring is too heavy-handed for modern 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