Employee monitoring software has become commonplace in the modern remote work environment. Many employers use this to promote productivity when employees are working from home.

Some companies opt out of employee monitoring tools for fear of negatively impacting morale. However, there are several reasons to use this powerful tool beyond seeing what employees are up to.

Here are four compelling reasons to invest in employee monitoring software.

Boost Productivity and Efficiency

One of the oft-overlooked benefits of employee monitoring software is the opportunity to boost productivity and efficiency — for both the employer and employee.

While commonly used to track remote employees, monitoring software also helps users understand where their time is spent. This data can help individuals prioritize and improve their workflows.

For example, studies have indicated that the average employee spends 28% of their day checking and responding to emails, checking approximately every 37 minutes. In most cases, employees aren’t aware of time wasted on productivity suckers until they see the data, which monitoring software can provide.

This data could also show employers what tasks consume the most resources compared to the revenue potential. Employers can use this data to explore opportunities for automation or setting project priorities.

Prevent Security Breaches

Cyber attacks are a real concern, especially in remote or hybrid working environments. Many employees now have the freedom to log in from anywhere. However, increased access via public networks could put the company at risk.

Employee monitoring allows employers to identify unusual activity. Many viruses and hacking programs run in the background of a device, undetected by the user. The employee monitoring program will be able to detect this activity and, depending on the program, alert the company to a potential issue.

Improve Employee Accountability

Employee monitoring creates a sense of accountability, as employees know their work is being tracked and evaluated. This feature can help employees stay focused and on task, creating a constant reminder to avoid distracting websites.

Employers need to walk a fine line when implementing employee monitoring for this purpose. Use this software as an improvement tool rather than resorting to micromanagement.

It’s natural for employees to take a few breaks throughout the day. As long as deadlines are being met and work is completed to standard, giving some leeway for work-life balance is okay. If employee work is getting done, but they have significant periods of downtime, it’s on the management team to re-evaluate workflows and responsibilities.

When using employee monitoring software for accountability, be transparent with your team and use this as a tool for improvement rather than punishment.

Legal Compliance

Data and privacy protection laws are in place for consumer protection. Failing to meet these rules and regulations puts the company at serious risk. Additionally, some industries (international food shipping, for example) have additional compliance metrics to follow to avoid fines and closures.

Employee monitoring software helps companies ensure that all employees follow the policies and standards to keep the company compliant. Employees who know they’re being monitored are less likely to take risks. Should non-compliance occur, the company will have a paper trail to utilize in a legal battle.

Employee monitoring software is a multi-faceted tool that helps companies stay secure and productive in our digital world. Consider investing in this software to protect your company’s resources.