Companies that embraced remote work culture before the COVID-19 pandemic are currently leading the race, leaving little choice for other organizations. The social distancing norms, whether welcomed or not, have nurtured the remote work culture, compelling some initially resistant organizations to undergo a forced adaptation.

According to Gartner, 88% of organizations worldwide either mandated or encouraged work-from-home following the declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic.

The primary challenge associated with remote employees has been the difficulty in monitoring and tracking their activities. Consequently, the technology of employee monitoring and time tracking emerges as a solution. These software solutions are experiencing a significant surge in demand in the market.

Let's explore the challenges that these employee monitoring and time-tracking software address:

1. Clarity in Work Activities:

Employee monitoring and time tracking software offer precise reports detailing the activities employees engage in during working hours. By utilizing timesheets, managers can identify areas for enhancing employee efficiency. The automated tracking of login and logout times prevents instances of misreporting by employees, ensuring the maintenance of accurate records for all business hours.

2. Accurate Compensation Calculation:

Companies, of course, aim to compensate their employees fairly. The tracking software, with its capability to record log-in and log-out timings, facilitates precise calculation of the hours dedicated by each employee, ensuring equitable compensation. This system helps avoid over-payment to employees, particularly those with lower performance, safeguarding the business from unnecessary financial losses. Additionally, it promotes accountability among employees.

3. Accurate Client Billing:

When data on the time invested in a specific project is unavailable, billing clients correctly becomes a challenge. Tracking software addresses this issue by providing precise data on the time invested, aiding in accurate client billing. Furthermore, it enhances trust with clients by ensuring transparency in the time spent and the corresponding output generated.

4. Enhancing Employee Productivity:

A significant challenge in remote work is the potential decline in employee productivity due to distractions at home, coffee shops, or other chosen work locations. The absence of direct supervision increases the likelihood of employees investing time in unproductive activities. This challenge isn't exclusive to remote settings; even when employees and managers share a physical space, productivity lapses can occur.

According to data from a Salary.com survey, 89% of employees admitted to wasting time, with 10% acknowledging up to 3 hours per day, when not supervised by their managers. This can result in substantial losses for the company. Employee tracking software serves as a deterrent to distractions, making employees conscious of being monitored. This awareness enhances their focus on the project, ultimately boosting productivity.

5. Inefficient Task Deadline Management:

Establishing deadlines for tasks is crucial as it ensures alignment within the team regarding ongoing tasks and their progress. Regular reminders about these deadlines contribute to heightened focus and improved output from employees, fostering a sense of accountability towards completing tasks on or before the set deadlines. This approach facilitates effective task management, ultimately leading to enhanced overall output.

6. Precise Human Resource Allocation:

Misallocating tasks to employees lacking the required expertise can disrupt the workflow. Managers, by leveraging reports generated by monitoring and time-tracking applications, gain insights into the strengths and weaknesses of team members. This information empowers them to allocate tasks strategically, optimizing overall output.

Data from these tracking apps also aids in making informed decisions about task allocation based on team members' schedules. For instance, urgent tasks can be assigned to available and unoccupied employees, preventing conflicts with simultaneous engagements.

7. Building Trust in Remote Teams:

A longstanding issue in remote work is the lack of trust that managers may harbor towards remote teams due to the absence of physical supervision. The inevitable question of "How are employees utilizing their working hours?" arises. Employee monitoring and time tracking software provide managers with clear insights into employee activities, fostering transparency and ultimately contributing to the establishment of trust between managers and remote teams.

8. Self-Management for Employees:

The employee monitoring tool serves not only to provide managers with records of employee efficiency but also empowers employees to manage themselves. Through the use of timesheets, employees can review their own activities, identifying tasks completed more efficiently and those taking longer. This self-analysis allows employees to pinpoint areas for skill improvement and gain a better understanding of their work patterns.

9. Shift Confusion and Staffing Management:

Accurate tracking of the number of hours worked is particularly crucial in industries such as call centers. The management of staffing relies heavily on data regarding the availability of employees during specific shifts. Ensuring the accuracy of this data is essential to prevent any confusion and mitigate the risk of understaffing or overstaffing during particular shifts.

10. Project Management and Collaboration:

Leveraging tracking tools enhances project management by providing team members with easy access to each other's schedules. Regular measurement of progress ensures alignment with the established plan and desired outcomes. Team leaders can strategically plan video calls to synchronize everyone and ensure that all team members are on the same page, fostering effective collaboration.

Best remote employee monitoring and time tracking software: DeskTime

DeskTime stands out as a leading remote employee monitoring and time-tracking software in the industry since its inception in 2010. Recognized for its excellence, DeskTime received the 'Expert Choice' award from 'Software Suggest' in 2019 and the 'High Performer Winter 2020' award from 'G2,' among other accolades.

Here are some of the notable features offered by DeskTime:

- Automatic Time Tracking:

DeskTime automatically tracks the time employees spend on various tasks and projects.

- Productivity Analysis:

It provides insights and analytics on employee productivity, helping managers understand work patterns.

- Project and Task Tracking:

DeskTime allows for tracking time spent on specific projects and tasks, aiding in project management.

- App and URL Tracking:

The software monitors application and website usage, offering a comprehensive view of activities during work hours.

- Absence Calendar:

DeskTime includes an absence calendar for managing vacations, leaves, and other time-off requests.

- Client Tracking:

It enables tracking billable hours by associating time entries with specific clients or projects.

- Invoicing Integration:

DeskTime integrates with invoicing tools, streamlining the billing process based on tracked hours.

- Custom Reports:

Users can generate customized reports to analyze specific aspects of employee performance.

- Screenshot Monitoring:

DeskTime offers optional screenshot monitoring for enhanced accountability and project tracking.

- Mobile App:

The availability of a mobile app allows employees to track time and manage tasks on the go.

DeskTime's comprehensive features, coupled with its recognition in industry awards, make it a notable choice for organizations seeking effective remote employee monitoring and time-tracking tool.

Conclusion:The global shift to remote work, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has underscored the crucial role of employee monitoring and time-tracking tools. Platforms like DeskTime not only address challenges in productivity, project management, and billing but also foster transparency and trust. Recognized for its excellence, DeskTime stands as a reliable solution, empowering organizations to navigate the complexities of remote work while optimizing efficiency, collaboration, and accountability.