How to Monitor Remote Workers During the Holidays

Understanding how remote workers manage their time, tasks, and responsibilities is critical for developing a successful monitoring plan. Managers who are overseeing remote teams need to be able to gauge worker productivity, while maximizing corporate spending on technological resources. And as we move into the Holidays, where employees will be increasingly distracted, it’s more important now more than ever to monitor your teams effectively.

Your monitoring plan should include a few critical features to keep morale, production, and collaboration levels high. Read on to learn more about how to monitor remote workers during the holiday season.

Protect Data Integrity

Company secrets and proprietary information has never been more vulnerable, and the holidays are a hot time for attackers to target your remote employees. People are distracted and a lot of transactions are being sent through ecommerce, banking, and other financial platforms. Using the right software and tools can protect your company’s financial data, as well as other sensitive files.

The average data breach can cost one company millions of dollars. When every keystroke can potentially draw prying eyes into your confidentials folders and identifying databases, there’s no such thing as being too careful.

Monitoring systems use data encryption and multi-factor authentication as a first defense against data loss and theft. Both of these features act as a firewall for potential threats, and can cut the risk of online cybercrime significantly.

When it comes to online data loss, remote workers logging on to unprotected networks can raise your company’s risk exponentially. Protect your data and peace of mind with this one simple step.

Online Events and Meetings

Collaboration is one of the areas in the remote workforce that has been dramatically affected by the ongoing pandemic. To boost telecommuter morale and reinforce corporate culture, many companies are utilizing video chat systems, augmented reality chat programs, and interactive communication apps to stay connected.

Hosting virtual events with your remote staff members is an effective way to keep retention and satisfaction rates high by giving everyone an easy way to stay connected, in lieu of a breakroom or water cooler. Even closing the conference room can have an impact on office morale, so hosting regular meetings that are work related AND recreational can have combined benefits.

As another measure to prevent online data theft and cybersecurity risks, the same employers are opting for comprehensive monitoring systems to protect their offsite teams.

These online programs can safeguard data that is transmitted on the web, while securing programs that utilize photo and video elements.

Being able to securely and easily host live video meetings allows global teams to mimic face-to-face interaction from any home office location.

Set and Manage Expectations

One of the most important things to consider when rapidly shifting to a remote work environment is understanding your teams’ expectations, and reasonable ability to achieve set benchmarks. Adjusting to a lot of changes can take a toll on your staff’s productivity, but there are some key ways to manage expectations accordingly.

Using productivity software to assign and track tasks is a helpful method for ensuring that no projects fall through the cracks. Additionally, your team members should all be aware of what is on their plate, when everything is due, and how long each task will take to complete.

Automating repetitive and rote tasks is one way to take some stress out of your org chart. Using monitoring programs to identify redundancies, prevent overlap, and speed up existing processes can help employees focus on other tasks that need their immediate attention.

Productivity Management

One of the primary concerns caused by remote working is the absence of physical managers onsite to track worker production. Distractions at home paired with a lack of accountability can cause employees to become lazy and unmotivated, which will contribute to a drastic reduction in productivity.

In a recent online survey, the majority of participants saw an increase in output following the implementation of an employee productivity monitoring system.

Employee monitoring systems run in the background to collect information about how employees are working during the day. From project lifecycle tracking to session duration alerts, managers can focus on their own to-do lists without wondering whether or not their offsite teams are on task.

Regular Check-In Points

Holding a weekly team meeting and monthly personal assessment might be enough to keep track of a brick-and-mortar office, but remote workers need a bit more hands-on guidance. Fortunately, digital systems make it easier than ever to regularly keep tabs on your remote teams’ group or individual progress.

Additionally, routine meetings are important for understanding how your remote teams are coping with stress, managing their time, and faring emotionally. During a time as tumultuous as this, frequent communication is important for connecting with employees and ensuring that every staff member feels supported and heard.

Don’t leave your virtual corporate culture or company vision up to chance. Intentionally connect with remote teams to stay on the same page, while fostering a sense of togetherness that is independent of anyone’s physical location.

Overtime Tracking

Many employees who are working while their teammates are on vacation are trying to cash in on holiday pay rates. However, many managers are concerned about dishonest employees working less than their timecards are stating.

Using employee monitoring software to oversee remote teams can help managers to prevent time card theft by:

• Tracking idle sessions
• Measuring spikes/dips in production
• Preventing downtime
• Addressing tech concerns quickly
• Accessing dynamic user reports

By comparing employee peak productivity times with the hours in the day and yield the least production, remote managers can effectively build business plans that fit all of their staff members.

Offsite teams will also benefit from the added support, and task management that favors their unique strengths and preferences – while collecting the overtime hours they’re due.

Give Bonus Incentives

In order to properly oversee your offsite teams, you need to make sure everyone is on board. High participation is key to the success of any new rollout, and this is especially true for enterprises that rely on shared mobile or desktop devices.

Providing bonuses or monetary incentives to encourage fast adoption will help your workers be excited and receptive to new tech trends.

Remote monitoring software is beneficial for both parties, but there is a lot of stigma associated with the online surveillance sphere. Prevent inter-departmental toxicity and pushback by giving rewards to employees who:

• Meet certain activity metrics
• Adhere to compliance guidelines
• Accept/approve BYOD coverage
• Prevent timecard theft and idle sessions

Gift cards and coupons can also be great incentives around the holidays, since many families are stretching their budgets to cover seasonal expenses.

Keeping your remote teams productive, motivated, and engaged during the holidays can depend on the tools you’re using to make the workday run more smoothly. Understanding how employees work best, and the circumstances they’re dealing with, can go far when it comes to building a successful management plan.

Use the right software and support systems to monitor your remote workers during the holidays, and achieve the metrics you’re looking for to close out the year.