Remote Working/Office Working Monitoring

I’m just glad I’ve never had to deal with any of this crap, even not having admin rights on a machine is dinosaur stuff to me. My work laptop is basically my own, ordered by me (and expensed) fully setup and configured by myself and all software etc installed by myself. Only I can access it, even running of my own personal Apple ID (I only use Mac). I access files though OneDrive and keep a local copy of everything also so no need for even going though a vpn.

My last job if you wanted a windows laptop you had to go though IT and get a bloated, admin locked ball of crap but they knew nothing about a macs so if you wanted one you *ordered yourself and expensed it totally bypassing IT which I of course did.

*not everyone could do it but if you had control over a budget you could or authorise someone is to.

RedXIV

Maria Acidic Gunrunning wrote: »

I’m just glad I’ve never had to deal with any of this crap, even not having admin rights on a machine is dinosaur stuff to me. My work laptop is basically my own, ordered by me (and expensed) fully setup and configured by myself and all software etc installed by myself. Only I can access it, even running of my own personal Apple ID (I only use Mac).

My last job if you wanted a windows laptop you had to go though IT and get a bloated, admin locked ball of crap but they knew nothing about a macs so if you wanted one you *ordered yourself and expensed it totally bypassing IT which I of course did.

*not everyone could do it but if you had control over a budget you could or authorise someone is to.

I would have thought this was standard too? It wouldn't be unusual in my role (IT) to put in an extra few hours here or there in the evening but this is usually compensated when in the office with "gonna take off a bit early on Friday" or "Will be late in next tuesday".

I think the problem this causes is that the people who don't need this will be the ones blasting through work anyway but may feel that they are now rigidly tied to 9-5 and if that was the case in my place, at 5.01 the computer would be off.

As others have said, if you can't tell as a manager that work isn't getting done from deliverables, I'm not sure what this is going to do to help?

No posts for two days from the OP. Funny.

Jim2007

JustAThought wrote: »

I disagree - if you are paying a salary there is an expectation to be able to manage them and this requires to know that they are not just on the doss in the garden or watching daytime tv or playing with their children while you serve
them money through their bank accounts.

If you are going to manager remote workers, particularly professionals, then you need to know their job very well, well enough to be able to assess if their output represents a good days work or not.

Monitoring tools etc.. are only just CYA for weak managers and remote management will highlight managers who are weak in knowing their business area.

I've managed a remote team of seven in the Ukraine for about 6 years. I do a morning call with them and apart from that leave them to get on with it. I spend about four hours a day reviewing their work and the rest of the day getting my own work done. I don't really care if they spend 5 hours, 6 hours.... on the job as long as they are delivering quality work on schedule.

My only requirement is that I can get in contact with them between 8:00 and 18:00 during the day or that the let me know when they are going off line.

I've had three people leave the team and be replaced and one I terminated because he was not delivering.

I'm happy with the situation.

OMM 0000

Maria Acidic Gunrunning wrote: »

not having admin rights on a machine is dinosaur stuff to me

If I started a job and I didn't have admin rights, I'd ask for admin rights, and if they refused to give it to me, I'd quit. It's a major red flag.

Note I'm assuming it's a tech company.

OMM 0000

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

That's fine if they are contractors.

But if they're employees, the Organisation of Woyking Time Act means you are required to know their specific hours of work.

Good point.

I'm talking specifically about contractors but even then... I don't think I've ever tracked someone's hours. :cool:

kodirl

Thanks to all who replied. The MD has decided just to use a basic clock in system . Looks like he trusts the employees after all.

gladerunner

JustAThought wrote: »

I disagree - if you are paying a salary there is an expectation to be able to manage them and this requires to know that they are not just on the doss in the garden or watching daytime tv or playing with their children while you serve
them money through their bank accounts.

Its realistic to expect basics like wirking timeframes to be provided and to have expectations in relation to wirk hours - if teams in other countries need tasks or deadlines met by specific times it is little use for your employee to be deciding to start work at 4pm
midnight after their gaming seasion because they were on the doss all day, or doing childrens homework, or gardening / whatever.

My neighbours iphone has been ringing every 20
minutes in the garden for weeks - turns out his boss has keystroke tracking that needs activity every 20 minutes or it triggers - he is totally taking the piss. Having a software or system to counteract this kind of sloth protects the employer and other employees who have to take the load for these kinds of slackers.

Have you considered outside of PM tools and daily updates, a basic short term resource like calenders and its tasks manager - allow access/caalender sharing and have them uodate as they progress throughout the day - that way you have visibility on how they are
organising and blocking their time and what they are engaged in in any given hour/ block.
They can also block out lunches so colleagues know they are not available then.

Wow - minding your children is now the pursuit of slackers and sloths.
Do you need reminding that the kids have no where to go. The smaller variety sometimes require feeding and changing, and they don't sit passively for long periods even when we have the great reward of being served with money.

gladerunner

gladerunner wrote: »

Wow - minding your children is now the pursuit of slackers and sloths.
Do you need reminding that the kids have no where to go. The smaller variety sometimes require feeding and changing, and they don't sit passively for long periods even when we have the great reward of being served with money.

I've two small children, looking after them is harder work than actual work.

LegallyAbroad

Fred Cryton wrote: »

Seriously resent what, turning up and doing the required hours they're paid for?


IF they're "educated professionals" i'm sure they understand they're getting a salary in exchange for their time, right?

No, their knowledge and expertise.

Some weeks (rarely) I work 70- 80 hours. Most weeks I work about 50 hours. There are usually one or two weeks a year were I work maybe 20 hours.

No one cares what exact time I work because I'm an educated professional and my employer pays me for my knowledge and expertise, not to sit at a desk for a defined time.

gladerunner

Jazlynn Agreeable Toothache wrote: »

I've two small children, looking after them is harder work than actual work.

Most people have not realised that this is not a normal e working/remote working experience. For the most part, employees are just trying to make it work and are threading the water.

gladerunner

gladerunner wrote: »

Most people have not realised that this is not a normal e working/remote working experience. For the most part, employees are just trying to make it work and are threading the water.

Including a few managers it appears. People aren't home by choice. They'd probably jump at the chance to get the kids back in school/creche/whatever given the chance, and I know I'll be back in the office as soon as it is safe.

Jazlynn Agreeable Toothache

Jazlynn Agreeable Toothache wrote: »

and I know I'll be back in the office as soon as it is safe.

A large number of people would prefer to remain working form home at least a few days a week though as it has massive benefits for most.

Mrs OBumble

LegallyAbroad wrote: »

No, their knowledge and expertise.

Some weeks (rarely) I work 70- 80 hours. Most weeks I work about 50 hours. There are usually one or two weeks a year were I work maybe 20 hours.

You employer could get prosecuted for allowing you to do this. Workplace Relations can and do audit employer compliance with employee rights and welfare.

LegallyAbroad

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

You employer could get prosecuted for allowing you to do this. Workplace Relations can and do audit employer compliance with employee rights and welfare.

That's realistically never going to happen.

Most large employers don't even keep records for their middle management and above, in my experience.

LegallyAbroad

LegallyAbroad wrote: »

That's realistically never going to happen.

Most large employers don't even keep records for their middle management and above, in my experience.

I don’t think anyone in a skilled professional salaried role has there hours tracked in anyway whatsoever. It’s pie in the sky stuff on about workplace relations etc.

bilbot79

JustAThought wrote: »

My neighbours iphone has been ringing every 20
minutes in the garden for weeks - turns out his boss has keystroke tracking that needs activity every 20 minutes or it triggers - he is totally taking the piss. Having a software or system to counteract this kind of sloth protects the employer and other employees who have to take the load for these kinds of slackers.

https://gfycat.com/nervousvaguecowrie