While most employers want to trust their staff, not all employees will have the same work ethic or principles. Few things will be more important than your business, so it is vital to gain an insight into your employees’ behavior during working hours. As it is impossible to physically monitor every member of staff every hour of the working day, you must consider the different ways to keep tabs on your team members. Check out the different ways to undertake employee monitoring to protect your staff and business.
Invest in High-Quality Security Cameras
Top of your to-do list should be to invest in indoor security cameras, which will allow you to record office life each day. You can review the tapes every day to identify how people perform when you are both inside and outside the office, which will allow you to learn more about a member of staff or a team. Not only will it help you gain an insight into your staff, but it will also provide added onsite security to protect your business against burglars or trespassers. It is, however, important to turn to a reliable surveillance company to invest in high-performing security cameras, which you can buy here.
Embark on Internet Usage Monitoring
Approximately two-thirds of all companies monitor their employees’ internet usage, so they can identify how they are spending their working day. For example, reviewing their URLs might help you discover that a member of staff spends more time browsing online shopping sites than working on an important project. It is, however, essential to consider an employee’s role before you jump to conclusions. For example, a social media manager will need to spend much of their time on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to perform well in their role. It is also possible for an IT technician to set-up URL blocking to restrict select employees from various websites.
Utilize Email Monitoring Software
Email monitoring can help nip any problems in the bud before they arise. A perfect example is when a Massachusetts judge ruled an employer to search his member of staffs’ emails, as the company had experienced two sexual harassment claims. It might, therefore, be wise to invest in email monitoring software, so you can review employees’ emails to identify workplace bullying, sexual harassment, or client poaching. You can then take the appropriate action to create a safer, happier, and more productive workplace.
Record Your Employees’ Phone Calls
Have you ever heard a similar message to “this message may be recorded for quality assurance”? If so, you will have been on the receiving end of an employee monitored call. Companies often do this to record their employees’ interactions with their customers, clients, prospective customers, or suppliers.
Not only will the recordings ensure your customers and clients receive the highest standard of service, but it can also help your business to improve its sales performance. For example, if two representatives on your sales team are exceeding the scores of other members of staff, you can listen to their phone calls to identify where they are going right, and other members of staff are going wrong, so you can effectively train your employees. You can also review the phone conversations following negative customer feedback to quickly identify and resolve an internal issue.
Consider Location Tracking
Are you unsure if your members of staff are where they say they are? All you need to do is invest in GPS tracking technology. There are various tracking devices you can use to monitor their location, such as a GPS vehicle tracker. For example, logistic companies can monitor the destination of both their drivers and vehicles to ensure they are on schedule for a client. You could, therefore, update your clients if a vehicle breaks down, or you can take action if a team member has taken too many breaks during a shift.
Perform Routine Locker Searches
If you are suspicious that a member of staff has unlawful content onsite, such as a weapon or illegal drugs, you do have grounds to search their locker. You must, however, have reasonable suspicion. Create a clear, formal policy that states an employee’s locker can be searched if the company believes it contains illegal content or there is a suspected violation of rules, such as onsite theft. If you do have a policy, you must gain a signature once an employee is hired to state they consent to the search. The policy should, however, be applied to all employees and not one individual.
Follow Up on Employees on FMLA Leave
The Family and Medical Leave Act guarantees select members of staff can obtain 12 weeks of unpaid leave every year, and there will be no threat of job loss. The courts do, however, support employers, as they can monitor employees who have taken FMLA leave. Yet, to do so, you must have reasonable suspicion that they are abusing the leave. For example, you should attempt to gain evidence of fraud, and you should provide an employee with an opportunity to explain themselves before you decide to take action against them. If you don’t, a poor investigation could have legal consequences for your business.
Conclusion
There are multiple reasons why you should seriously consider investing your time and money into employee monitoring. Not only can it help you to spot time-wasting or unscrupulous employees, but it can also help your company make fewer errors, maximize its performance, and increase onsite security.
It is also important to note that there are no federal laws that state a private company is unable to monitor their employees. In fact, most private employees have no legal right to privacy within the workplace. Yet, public companies will face more restrictions. It is, however, important to review state law or consult a lawyer to adhere to your legal obligations.
Has employee monitoring changed your business for the better? Have you tried any of the above technologies or techniques? Please share your stories and advice by posting a comment below.