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If you look around, you might notice that organizations and even small business start-ups are adopting diverse tools and strategies for employee productivity monitoring.
And why would they not? The number of benefits sure are enticing. Even though, beneath the positive surface lies a sophisticated debate in regards to impact of such monitoring solutions on remote workplace, employee well-being, and overall productivity.
Such a case makes it crucial for businesses using monitoring tools to maintain a consistent stability befitting all the related stakeholders. As the success of any business endeavour surrounds a productive workforce, it is suggested to consider the influence of employee monitoring on workplace efficiency. It would also help you acknowledge the benefits and pitfalls prior to executing employee productivity monitoring practices into the business dynamics.
Upsides of employee productivity monitoring on workplace efficiency
Undoubtedly, at first glance, the number of advantages you can rip off of using employee productivity monitoring seem undeniable. It is a technological solution that can assist organizations to promote ownership and accountability, modernize their workflows, and output maximization. With the right utilization of all the data-driven information from the software, employers can learn better time allocation that can minimize the inefficiencies and address them with much-needed strategies to enhance performance excellence.
In fact, did you know that, a staggering margin of about 65% of organizations reported to have seen enhanced productivity post implementation of employee productivity monitoring systems. And this is not my opinion, it is stated by the American Management Association through a survey. This well-researched data indicates the unparalleled scope that may come to your business with the correct choice and integration of monitoring solutions driving efficiency.
Now, since we are talking about the positive influence of employee productivity monitoring, one of the unique and advanced benefits of it is the capability or tools to diagnose and evaluate patterns and user behaviours that would have otherwise gone undetected. You know that these monitoring tools can collect and analyze data accurately. But, how can it help with improving workplace efficiency?
Organizations can apply the data evaluations to effectively schedule meetings, locate the peak productivity hours of the employees, and reallocate urgent and important tasks accordingly. Doing so ensures that the workforce are able to balance their work-life routines with constructive efficiency in the workspace. Moreover, utilizing the right tools and approaches of the employee productivity monitoring system also aid with cultivating accountability and clear visibility among workers and the workplace. Because when employees are aware of them being monitored, the likelihood of them staying more attentive and focused and engaged in their work increases thereby minimizing time wastage and unwanted distractions. This augmented responsibility and ownership of their tasks can result in a custom of consistent and coherent performance with a motto to achieve collective organization objectives as the bottom line.
Downsides of employee productivity monitoring on workplace efficiency
Unfortunately, as the case may be, employee productivity monitoring has its own pitfalls. If the organization is not cautious and thoughtful with the monitoring, crossing the line of excessiveness will have severe negative influence on employees well-being and performance.
It is very important for organizations to maintain mutual trust within the workplace. But it is also true that trust is a very sensitive matter. Which is why inefficient use of employee productivity monitoring systems has the likelihood to erode that balance of trust between employers and the workforce. Unnecessary and constant tracking of employees activities can be stressful creating a culture of unfavourable surveillance and micromanagement. As a result, declining employee engagement brings about inefficiency in the workspace over time.
But, the affected aspect here is not only employee morale and trust that takes a backseat. Increased stress, a sense of fear, and anxiety can ultimately induce burnout and higher turnover rates. This is a notable unsettling scenario that threatens the effectiveness of employee productivity monitoring software whose one purpose is to improve efficiency at the workplace.
Another significant concern relating to employee productivity monitoring is more than necessary emphasis on quantitative parameters instead of equality towards qualitative aspects. While making sure that efficient productivity at the workplace is all well and good, it may often overlook other intangible yet noteworthy aspects of work-life and space. This qualitative aspect has the capability to follow up with comprehensive organization plus employee development and growth. That is why, there must be a balance between things within the work dynamics.
Finding a balance between the upsides and downsides
As we learned above, one of the critical solutions to effective performance management is implementation of employeeproductivity monitoring into the internal workflow. However, the core idea to achieve overall workplace efficiency in every aspect is to be able to find a balance of how things are applied and between its potential consequences.
Organizations should rather frame the monitoring tool as a means of guidance and support and optimization. Which means providing the workforce with necessary information, accessibility, and resources plus support to help enhance their work performance and professional growth with work-life stability. Employees will perceive the positiveness of these monitoring solutions when they are clear of the expectations, collective mutual trust, and consistent open communication channels.
In the midst of all these considerations, it is also equally vital to ensure ethical application of these employee monitoring technologies. This does not mean adhering to regulatory aspects and respect to privacy rights are sufficient. Maintaining transparency regarding data collection, usage, and storage of it can also alleviate a sense of trust within the organization. Along with that a drive towards long-term productivity and employee engagement should also be equally prioritized for a positive and nurturing workspace culture.
Ultimately, looking back and considering all the aspects, it is safe to presume that the monitoring productivity metrics are not one-size-fits-all. It requires customizable approaches to support and monitoring as there exists different personalities, work styles, and roles. Therefore, for a long-term and efficient workplace management, it is upon the organization to identify the needs and tailor the monitoring strategies that fits the company work culture and dynamics.
