Tracking Internet usage seems very heavy-handed for employers and draconian for employees. Website ban or a strict Internet usage policy are usually inefficient. Before we tell you how to track Internet usage at work in a hassle-free method, consider the following.
The problem is HUGE
Wasted time at work is common and most the important challenge that companies all around the world are faced with. The losses for businesses are counted in billions.
An annual “Wasting Time at Work” survey, by Salary.com says that in 2014 31% wasted roughly 30 minutes a day, the same 31% of respondents said that they wasted 1 hour and 16% wasted 2 hours a day.
On average, 4% of surveyed waste half of the day with non work-related activities.
Where's the waste?
In 2013, Facebook was named the biggest online distraction. However, last year 24% of respondents named Google the biggest online distraction, with Facebook nipping at the search giant’s heels garnering 23%. In third place came LinkedIn (14%), in fourth place came Yahoo (7%), and then Amazon (2%), YouTube (2%), ESPN (2%), and Pinterest, Twitter, and Craigslist each receiving 1%.
How are businesses fighting against wasted time at work and cyberslacking?
1. Banning the Internet at work – nonsense. It is impossible to imagine today's work in the office without the Internet. Not only it makes the work of employees faster and easier. The Internet is a powerful tool for business development.
2. Blocking access to certain websites such as Facebook – not the best idea either. Many companies have appreciated the meaning of social media for business. Additionally, employees can't use social networks for personal purposes during a break.
3. Use a strict Internet usage policy – an Internet usage policy is great. It makes it clear for employees how much time they are allowed to spend on social media, which websites are prohibited to visit and what happens if they break the rules. Yeah. It is great. But how do you know if employees actually comply with it?
In recent years, employees have skilled in hiding the fact that they use Facebook during working hours or watch viral videos on YouTube.
How to track Internet usage in a hassle-free way?
Instead of blocking access to certain websites, keep the Internet usage under control. The best way to do that is to use a time tracking software.
In essence, time tracking software monitors all websites that employees visit during work hours, generates the information into a report and sends it to you.
There are several advantages to monitoring employee Internet usage this way:
2. Time tracking software can be easily used to track the work of remote employees. Not only you will see how much time it takes to finish a particular task or project, but you will also make sure that each employee is not slacking during working hours.
3. Employees can also benefit from such a solution. Some of them can finally find out why they don't have enough time to get all tasks done on time.
4. Having up-to-date information, you can then make decisions on how to improve employee productivity, and not just to prevent personal internet use at work.
5. By using time tracking software, you get additional features which also help to improve employee productivity.
