While the challenge of ensuring productivity is longstanding, the methods to address it have evolved significantly, particularly with the rise of remote work. Unfortunately, this has led to a rise in spying on remote workers, which often involves invasive monitoring techniques such as tracking keystrokes, capturing screenshots, and using webcam surveillance. These methods can lead to feelings of mistrust and invasion of privacy, ultimately damaging the employee-employer relationship.
This is why it is imperative that organizations foster a culture of trust and accountability while providing clear guidelines to measure remote worker productivity.
Why Companies Should Measure Goals vs Key Strokes
Measuring productivity focuses on evaluating outputs and outcomes rather than constant surveillance. This approach might include setting clear goals, using project management tools to track progress, and adopting performance metrics that reflect the quality and quantity of work produced. Transparent communication and regular check-ins can help ensure alignment without overstepping privacy boundaries.
By prioritizing trust and respect, companies can foster a more positive work environment. Encouraging autonomy, providing the necessary resources, and recognizing achievements can lead to increased job satisfaction and better overall performance. In essence, the goal should be to empower employees rather than control them, creating a culture where productivity thrives naturally.
Do you know any “SNAIL GIRLS”?
While it’s true that some individuals might take advantage of the flexibility that comes with working from home, it’s important to remember that many people remain diligent and productive. However, there are always a few who might stray from their professional duties. Some common activities that people may engage in during work hours include:
- Household chores: Doing laundry, cleaning, or cooking meals.
- Personal projects: Working on hobbies, side businesses, or creative endeavors.
- Leisure activities: Watching TV, playing video games, working out, or browsing social media.
- Running errands: Shopping, attending appointments, or picking up kids from school.
- Socializing: Chatting with friends or family members, whether in person or online.
It’s crucial for organizations to foster a culture of trust and accountability while providing clear guidelines and expectations to ensure that remote work remains effective and beneficial for everyone.
How to Measure Remote Worker Productivity
So, how can companies effectively measure remote worker productivity?
I posted on LinkedIn regarding employers spying on remote employees in order to track productivity, and one of my connections, Kevin D. Turner, Managing Partner at TNT Brand Strategist LLC, made an excellent point on what companies should be doing instead of spying:
Kevin said, “…The only true way to measure productivity is output to KPI’s. If I hire on salary, 2 people to sell $1M each in services a month, and one does it in ~1 hour and the other takes ~30 days, aren’t they both productive and didn’t I get what I paid for? Companies should save the dollars they’d spend on spying and put it to training their managers for the new world.”
What are KPIs?
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are essential measurable markers that track progress towards a specific outcome. They serve as focal points for enhancing both strategic and operational processes, offering a data-driven foundation for decision-making while highlighting key priorities.
Leaders who use KPIs must establish performance targets and then monitor advancement towards achieving them. Employing KPIs typically involves enhancing performance through leading indicators, which act as predictors of future success, ultimately influencing desired outcomes as indicated by lagging measures.
Good KPIs:
- Provide evidence of advancement towards reaching a specific goal
- Measures whatever is intended to be measured to guide improved decision-making
- Present a comparison that assesses the extent of progress over time
- Capable of monitoring efficiency, effectiveness, quality, timeliness, compliance, governance, behaviors, economics, project performance, staff performance, or resource management
- Strike a balance between leading and lagging indicators
Effective leaders establish goals and KPIs with their remote and in-office team members. They then schedule regular meetings to monitor the team’s progress towards achieving those goals. If you find it challenging to gauge the productivity of remote workers, seeking guidance from a Leadership Coach can help you refine your abilities and discover more effective approaches instead of resorting to surveillance.
Donna Schilder