Workpuls Teramind ActivTrak Hubstaff DeskTime Time Doctor RescueTime Kickidler Veriato Work Examiner
OVERVIEW
Price $6/user/month $6/user/month $7.20/user/month $7/user/month $7/user/month $9.99/user/month $6/user/month $9.99/user/month $150/licence/year $60/licence (lifetime)
Free trial 7 days 7 days No 14 days 14 days 14 days 30 days 7 days Yes 30 days
Ease of use Very easy Difficult Very easy Easy Easy Very easy Very easy Very easy Very difficult Easy
TRACKING METHODS
Unlimited (tracker working 24/7)
Fixed (defined working hours)
Automatic (when computer is connected to a specified network)
Manual (start/stop)
Project based (track time only on projects)
GENERAL MONITORING FEATURES
Stealth mode
App and website usage
Real-time monitoring
Offline time tracking
Attendance
Activity levels
Keylogger
Geolocation
Remote desktop control
Website/activity blocking
SCREENSHOTS AND RECORDING
Screenshots
Screenshots on demand
Screen recording
PRODUCTIVITY FEATURES
Productivity trends
Websites and apps labeling
Category labeling
Productivity alerts
ADVANCED SECURITY FEATURES
User behavior analytics
Data loss prevention
Advanced file and web monitoring
REPORTING
Productivity reports
Team reports
Timelines
Email reports
Access management
PLATFORMS
Web
Mac desktop app
Windows desktop app
Linux desktop app
Mobile app iOS, Android iOS, Android iOS, Android iOS, Android iOS, Android Android
Browser extension Chrome Chrome Chrome
Other Citrix, VMware Chrome OS
OTHER
Support Phone, email, online Phone, email, online Phone, email, online Email, online Phone, email, online, in-person Online Phone, email, online Email, online, Viber, Whatsapp Phone, email, online, support ticket Phone, email, online
Knowledge base
Video tutorials
Integrations comming soon
API
Deployment cloud, on-premise cloud, on-premise, AWS, Azure cloud cloud cloud cloud cloud on-premise cloud, on-premise on-premise
Kronos Humanity Timeclockplus Tsheets Wheniwork Deputy Replicon Jibble EbilityTimeTracker OnTheClock BeeBole
OVERVIEW
Price(per month)Available upon requestFrom $2 per userAvailable upon requestFrom $6.40 per user+$16Free for up to 75 usersFrom $2.50 per userBasic plan:$30 for 5 users+$5 per additional userFrom $1.50 per employeeFrom $4 per user+$8From $2.20 per user$5.99 per user per month
Free trial30 days14 daysYes14 days14 days14 days30 days30 days,no credit card required
Ease of useDifficultEasyDifficultVery easyEasyEasyDifficultVery easyEasyEasyEasy
FEATURES
Timecard management
Scheduling
Shift Trading
Timesheets
Break time management
Real-time tracking
PTO Management
Payroll
Invoicing
Client billing
GPS tracking
Clock out reminders
Alerts
Manual time
PUNCH-IN METHODS
Web app
Mobile app
Time clock device
Time clock kiosk
Facial recognition
Fingerprint scanning
Geofencing
Group punch-in
REPORTING
Visual reports
Email reports
Time rounding
MANAGEMENT
Permissions
Manager approvals
Add time for others
Integrations
PLATFORMS
Web
Android app
iOS app
Mac desktop app
Windows desktop app
Linux desktop app
OTHER
SupportPhone and onlinePhone and onlinePhone,chat and onlinePhone and chatEmail and onlineChat and phonePhone,email,chat and onlinePhone and onlinePhone,email,chat and onlinePhone and onlineOnline chat and video support in English,French,and Spanish
Knowledge base
Video tutorials
Community forum
API

In recent years, especially with the surge of remote work, many companies, not just remote ones, are beginning to implement employees monitoring software.


Tracking the work your employees do can be beneficial for your company in many ways. For example, by using employee monitoring, you can ensure that your employees are not slacking off at work, their productivity can be improved vastly, you can plan your projects more accurately, and so on.


While the benefits of employee monitoring are quite apparent, the drawbacks are not so obvious. If you do not implement employee monitoring properly, it can have substantial negative consequences on your business. 


Here in this post, we explore some of the most common mistakes with remote employee monitoring and how to avoid them.


Not Being Transparent With Your Employees


If you are looking to implement remote team management software in your company, you need to inform your employees about your intentions before moving any further in the process. 


By letting your employees know what you are looking to do, you will avoid any potentially harmful situations. Remote team management software will most likely create a massive shift in your company culture. To prevent your employees from becoming less productive and efficient, you need to be transparent throughout the entire process and ensure that your employees understand why employee monitoring is necessary and that they are on board with the idea.


For a more in-depth overview of the benefits of implementing a remote team management software, be sure to read Employees Monitoring Software and 100% Remote Teams: Benefits and Concerns.


Not Securing Employee Data


If you do not secure the data that remote team management software collects appropriately, you run the risk of sensitive info such as employee payroll or your work processes, ending up in the wrong hands.


The first step in securing your employee data is to implement a data protection policy. The basics of your employee monitoring data policy should state the means and ways you will be collecting and storing data and who will be able to access it.


For more information about how to secure your employee monitoring data, read How Secure Is Your Staff Monitoring System Data.


Measuring the Wrong Metrics


Most software for monitoring work from home productivity can measure various metrics. But just because they can do that, it does not mean that you should keep a tab on them. 


To track just the right metrics, you will need to find the employee monitoring software that matches your business needs and goals. If you choose Insightful as your remote team monitoring software, you can get customized reports that include only the data that is important to you.


Breaking the Law


You have to be familiar with employee monitoring laws in your remote team’s countries before implementing it. 


Most of the time, it is legal with differences whether you need to notify your employees beforehand and if they need to sign a consent form. However, all countries are different, and you should consult a lawyer or familiarize yourself with the regulations in each country where you have employees. This is the only way to protect your company from lawsuits and your employees' rights.


Monitoring Your Employees On Break and Outside of Work


We all know that personal matters should be addressed outside of work hours. However, we are all humans, and sometimes we cannot wait after work. Taking a short break from work to answer a text or pay a bill is understandable. 


As a business owner, you should be respectful of your employees' privacy and only monitor work-related activities. While it is okay to track the number of hours your employees spend browsing social media during work, it is not okay to monitor what your employees are looking at on social media.


Since your employees are working remotely, they may use their personal laptops for work. If that is the case, you should not track what they do outside of their working hours. If you are concerned about protecting your company's data, you should restrict access to sensitive company information outside of work hours.


Also, most trackers have a clock-in/out button which gives your employees control over the tracking. They can clock out, or take a break when they need to handle personal matters. It’s the best way to ensure you don’t collect any sensitive information or violate your employees’ privacy.


Final Thoughts


Employee monitoring can be beneficial both for the company and the employees, as it gives you a detailed overview of how your employees spend their time at work and how that affects your business. 


However, if it is not implemented correctly, it can create many issues. To ensure this does not happen to you, you need to be transparent with your employees, measure the right metrics, keep your company data secure, comply with all the laws, and respect your employees' private time.


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Employee Monitoring

5 Remote Employee Monitoring Mistakes to Avoid

Written by
Vojin Deronjic
Published on
July 1, 2020

In recent years, especially with the surge of remote work, many companies, not just remote ones, are beginning to implement employees monitoring software.


Tracking the work your employees do can be beneficial for your company in many ways. For example, by using employee monitoring, you can ensure that your employees are not slacking off at work, their productivity can be improved vastly, you can plan your projects more accurately, and so on.


While the benefits of employee monitoring are quite apparent, the drawbacks are not so obvious. If you do not implement employee monitoring properly, it can have substantial negative consequences on your business. 


Here in this post, we explore some of the most common mistakes with remote employee monitoring and how to avoid them.


Not Being Transparent With Your Employees


If you are looking to implement remote team management software in your company, you need to inform your employees about your intentions before moving any further in the process. 


By letting your employees know what you are looking to do, you will avoid any potentially harmful situations. Remote team management software will most likely create a massive shift in your company culture. To prevent your employees from becoming less productive and efficient, you need to be transparent throughout the entire process and ensure that your employees understand why employee monitoring is necessary and that they are on board with the idea.


For a more in-depth overview of the benefits of implementing a remote team management software, be sure to read Employees Monitoring Software and 100% Remote Teams: Benefits and Concerns.


Not Securing Employee Data


If you do not secure the data that remote team management software collects appropriately, you run the risk of sensitive info such as employee payroll or your work processes, ending up in the wrong hands.


The first step in securing your employee data is to implement a data protection policy. The basics of your employee monitoring data policy should state the means and ways you will be collecting and storing data and who will be able to access it.


For more information about how to secure your employee monitoring data, read How Secure Is Your Staff Monitoring System Data.


Measuring the Wrong Metrics


Most software for monitoring work from home productivity can measure various metrics. But just because they can do that, it does not mean that you should keep a tab on them. 


To track just the right metrics, you will need to find the employee monitoring software that matches your business needs and goals. If you choose Insightful as your remote team monitoring software, you can get customized reports that include only the data that is important to you.


Breaking the Law


You have to be familiar with employee monitoring laws in your remote team’s countries before implementing it. 


Most of the time, it is legal with differences whether you need to notify your employees beforehand and if they need to sign a consent form. However, all countries are different, and you should consult a lawyer or familiarize yourself with the regulations in each country where you have employees. This is the only way to protect your company from lawsuits and your employees' rights.


Monitoring Your Employees On Break and Outside of Work


We all know that personal matters should be addressed outside of work hours. However, we are all humans, and sometimes we cannot wait after work. Taking a short break from work to answer a text or pay a bill is understandable. 


As a business owner, you should be respectful of your employees' privacy and only monitor work-related activities. While it is okay to track the number of hours your employees spend browsing social media during work, it is not okay to monitor what your employees are looking at on social media.


Since your employees are working remotely, they may use their personal laptops for work. If that is the case, you should not track what they do outside of their working hours. If you are concerned about protecting your company's data, you should restrict access to sensitive company information outside of work hours.


Also, most trackers have a clock-in/out button which gives your employees control over the tracking. They can clock out, or take a break when they need to handle personal matters. It’s the best way to ensure you don’t collect any sensitive information or violate your employees’ privacy.


Final Thoughts


Employee monitoring can be beneficial both for the company and the employees, as it gives you a detailed overview of how your employees spend their time at work and how that affects your business. 


However, if it is not implemented correctly, it can create many issues. To ensure this does not happen to you, you need to be transparent with your employees, measure the right metrics, keep your company data secure, comply with all the laws, and respect your employees' private time.