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

Managing a team is never an easy task. If, on top of this, the team works remotely, monitoring them becomes an even greater challenge.

So, if you are among the troubled managers trying to figure out how to track employees working from home, this article has a few useful tips.

1. Encourage Self-Reporting

Self-reporting involves employees sending daily or weekly summaries of their work to managers. This approach allows for subjective assessment of workload and can be useful for small teams or where there is a high level of trust.

Still, as it relies solely on employees’ honesty, it may need to be supplemented with more objective measures.

2. Implement Time Tracking Software

Using time tracking software is among the best ways to understand how employees allocate their time across tasks.

To see a detailed breakdown of how the team members are spending their time, managers can ask them to start and stop a timer for different tasks. This helps in identifying both highly productive employees and those who have room for improvement.

While effective, this approach has its flaws when it comes to tracking unplanned activities like phone calls or meetings. Another downside is that it heavily depends on accurate self-reporting by employees.

Advanced tools for time tracking, such as Insightful can help minimize the chance of false reports.

Insightful, and similar software, offer features such as automatic activity and screen monitoring. Based on the gathered data, this tool immediately shows the productivity score and can even help you spot the early signs of burnout. This sort of unobtrusive and yet reliable tracking software can go a long way in building a productivity culture in your company.

3. Utilize Project & Task Management Apps

Project and task management applications can help organize assignments. These tools provide insight into who is working on which task. Having a structured overview of each project, managers can distribute the workload evenly. Task management apps can also help decide if additional tasks should be created.

The downside of these tools is that they might not capture every aspect of an employee's workload. This is especially true for tasks outside project scopes.

Some of the most popular project management tools are Asana, Podio, and Harvest.

4. Monitor Email Activity

Professionals spend a significant portion of their workday in their email inbox. This is why tracking email activity can offer insights into workload and productivity.

Tools like EmailAnalytics allow managers to visualize email volume, response times, and recipient data. In this manner, leaders get a clear view of each team member's engagement and workload. Background tracking of this sort doesn't require any action from employees, making it a discrete way to gauge productivity.

5. Create & Manage Task Lists

Task lists focus on individual assignments within or outside project management apps. Creating these lists allows managers to see workload distribution among team members.

This method can reveal if tasks are unevenly assigned. Still, to ensure all tasks are accurately recorded and completed, it requires careful management.

6. Require Managerial Supervision & Reports

Empower managers and supervisors to actively monitor and report on team workloads. This enables a more dynamic approach to workload management.

Regular reports of this sort allow leaders to adjust strategies as needed. They also ensure that employees are not wasting their time on tracking responsibilities.

7. Observe Subjective Factors

An effective tracking strategy goes beyond objective measures. Employee behavior and morale can offer additional insights into workload management. Signs of stress or disengagement may indicate workload imbalances that need addressing.

Why Monitor Workloads?

Monitoring workloads is essential for several reasons:

  • Balancing workloads: It helps in redistributing tasks to ensure a fair workload and prevent burnout.

  • Boosting morale: A balanced workload contributes to employee satisfaction and productivity.

  • Identifying underperformance: It allows managers to identify and support team members who may be struggling.

  • Spotting inefficiencies: Monitoring can reveal process inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement.

Conclusion

Remote team management relies on trust between managers and teammates to a great extent. At the same time, it requires objective measures and an understanding of individual employee circumstances.

Find a combination of tracking strategies tailored to your unique business needs. Make sure you also educate your workers on best practices for remote work. Only then will you be able to help your remote employees reach their full potential and productivity.

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Remote Work Management

How to Track Employees Working from Home: 7 Effective Strategies

Written by
Vanja Savic Petrovic
Published on
April 2, 2024

Managing a team is never an easy task. If, on top of this, the team works remotely, monitoring them becomes an even greater challenge.

So, if you are among the troubled managers trying to figure out how to track employees working from home, this article has a few useful tips.

1. Encourage Self-Reporting

Self-reporting involves employees sending daily or weekly summaries of their work to managers. This approach allows for subjective assessment of workload and can be useful for small teams or where there is a high level of trust.

Still, as it relies solely on employees’ honesty, it may need to be supplemented with more objective measures.

2. Implement Time Tracking Software

Using time tracking software is among the best ways to understand how employees allocate their time across tasks.

To see a detailed breakdown of how the team members are spending their time, managers can ask them to start and stop a timer for different tasks. This helps in identifying both highly productive employees and those who have room for improvement.

While effective, this approach has its flaws when it comes to tracking unplanned activities like phone calls or meetings. Another downside is that it heavily depends on accurate self-reporting by employees.

Advanced tools for time tracking, such as Insightful can help minimize the chance of false reports.

Insightful, and similar software, offer features such as automatic activity and screen monitoring. Based on the gathered data, this tool immediately shows the productivity score and can even help you spot the early signs of burnout. This sort of unobtrusive and yet reliable tracking software can go a long way in building a productivity culture in your company.

3. Utilize Project & Task Management Apps

Project and task management applications can help organize assignments. These tools provide insight into who is working on which task. Having a structured overview of each project, managers can distribute the workload evenly. Task management apps can also help decide if additional tasks should be created.

The downside of these tools is that they might not capture every aspect of an employee's workload. This is especially true for tasks outside project scopes.

Some of the most popular project management tools are Asana, Podio, and Harvest.

4. Monitor Email Activity

Professionals spend a significant portion of their workday in their email inbox. This is why tracking email activity can offer insights into workload and productivity.

Tools like EmailAnalytics allow managers to visualize email volume, response times, and recipient data. In this manner, leaders get a clear view of each team member's engagement and workload. Background tracking of this sort doesn't require any action from employees, making it a discrete way to gauge productivity.

5. Create & Manage Task Lists

Task lists focus on individual assignments within or outside project management apps. Creating these lists allows managers to see workload distribution among team members.

This method can reveal if tasks are unevenly assigned. Still, to ensure all tasks are accurately recorded and completed, it requires careful management.

6. Require Managerial Supervision & Reports

Empower managers and supervisors to actively monitor and report on team workloads. This enables a more dynamic approach to workload management.

Regular reports of this sort allow leaders to adjust strategies as needed. They also ensure that employees are not wasting their time on tracking responsibilities.

7. Observe Subjective Factors

An effective tracking strategy goes beyond objective measures. Employee behavior and morale can offer additional insights into workload management. Signs of stress or disengagement may indicate workload imbalances that need addressing.

Why Monitor Workloads?

Monitoring workloads is essential for several reasons:

  • Balancing workloads: It helps in redistributing tasks to ensure a fair workload and prevent burnout.

  • Boosting morale: A balanced workload contributes to employee satisfaction and productivity.

  • Identifying underperformance: It allows managers to identify and support team members who may be struggling.

  • Spotting inefficiencies: Monitoring can reveal process inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement.

Conclusion

Remote team management relies on trust between managers and teammates to a great extent. At the same time, it requires objective measures and an understanding of individual employee circumstances.

Find a combination of tracking strategies tailored to your unique business needs. Make sure you also educate your workers on best practices for remote work. Only then will you be able to help your remote employees reach their full potential and productivity.