Why companies don't need to turn to surveillance technologies to push for remote-working productivity

There are ways to promote collaboration without having to resort to micromanaging or using intrusive surveillance tools

Even prior to the Covid-19 outbreak, many organisations were choosing to hone in on flexible working. Regardless of where staff were logging on from - be it a coffee shop, or the comfort of their own living room - employers were increasingly seeing the benefits of adapting their policies. As were employees themselves. No commuting, a lack of rigid working hours and no office dress code are just a few of the perks most members of staff enjoy.

On the other hand, the number of distractions available to remote employees is far greater than in a standard office environment. Add pets, families and technology into the mix, and it can be easy to find an excuse to put off work. With interruptions at an all-time high, it's logical that organisations want to keep an eye on employee productivity levels.

This has led to a rise in the number of companies showing an interest in surveillance technologies. In turn, many people have expressed concerns around privacy, with the intrusive methods causing heightened stress and anxiety for workers. The question is, how far is too far?

The ‘Big Brother' boom

The urgent and unforeseen demand to transition entire workforces to a remote model is something that no business was fully prepared for. This rapid restructuring has brought with it an abundance of challenges for organisations, many of which centre around productivity.

Last month, accountancy firm PwC was criticised for the development of a facial recognition tool that logs when employees are absent from their computer screens while they work from home. The technology uses workers' webcams and requires them to provide a written reason for any absences, including toilet breaks. While PwC claimed that the technology has been designed to help meet compliance observations, others saw the move as an intrusion of privacy.

The truth is that maintaining productivity when working remotely takes discipline. Employees don't benefit from being surrounded by peers and managers to keep them on track, and therefore need to find other ways to maintain structure and keep motivation levels high. This is where transparency and trust have the biggest role to play.

If organisations can successfully foster a positive remote working culture, employees will feel supported without being worried that their every move is being watched.

Achieving remote productivity

Motivating and managing a remote workforce comes with several unique challenges, most of which aren't an issue in a physical office environment. In the workplace, employees are free to collaborate and communicate as often as they like in person. When they're not in the office, however, it can be easy for staff to feel as though they are disconnected from their teams and colleagues. In fact, our most recent Employee Engagement survey found those that are most engaged at work are those that enjoy their work and can collaborate well.

To avoid people feeling isolated and therefore unproductive while working remotely, companies must find ways to promote collaboration without having to resort to micromanaging or using intrusive surveillance tools.

Implementing technologies such as video conferencing and chat services, as well as remote collaboration platforms help employees to maintain open lines of communication with their peers. Project management software can also keep everyone on target with automated reminders, real-time dashboards and a single view of tasks. With a range of options available to them, each individual can use the tools and technologies they prefer to help them stay productive.

As companies continue to get to grips with perfecting their remote work practices, it's essential that they keep track of what has been tried, tested and - most importantly - successful. By keeping a record of what tactics work and don't work for employees, organisations can easily adapt and implement different strategies to ensure the highest productivity levels. Organisations may find their employees are more productive, less productive, or equally as productive when working from home - or any work location. The key, however, is to ensure that staff feel empowered to work flexibly and collaboratively.

By creating a culture in which teams are free and motivated to work how, where and when they choose - as long as they get the job done - businesses will find that team members become more productive than before.

David McGeough is director of international marketing at Wrike