{"id":1267,"date":"2021-11-02T16:41:47","date_gmt":"2021-11-02T16:41:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.handdy.com\/blog\/?p=1267"},"modified":"2021-11-02T16:41:47","modified_gmt":"2021-11-02T16:41:47","slug":"5-reasons-to-start-monitoring-employee-internet-usage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.handdy.com\/blog\/5-reasons-to-start-monitoring-employee-internet-usage\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Reasons to Start Monitoring Employee Internet Usage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Should you monitor your employees\u2019 internet usage? Find out how it could benefit your organisation with Handdy<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Hybrid and remote working models have become increasingly popular since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. While this greatly benefitted many, it has also disrupted regular, long-standing working patterns, causing COOs and business managers concerns.<\/p>\n

Companies had to adapt quickly to new circumstances initially \u2014 allowing employees more flexibility to work from home or remote locations \u2014 but now, organisations need to revamp their internal processes to maintain adequate cybersecurity<\/a>, productivity and employee well-being.<\/p>\n

Monitoring employee internet usage is one of the ways many organisations are succeeding in the post-COVID world, so should you be tracking your employee\u2019s online activity?<\/p>\n

Why Monitor Employee Internet Usage?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Having access to employee internet usage data is essential in the new era of work. If you\u2019ve adopted a hybrid or flexible working model in the past two years, your processes must reflect the new circumstances your business is faced with. According to recent studies, more than \u00a311 million has been lost<\/a> due to COVID-19 scams since January 2020. In addition, almost half of individuals working from home have admitted to making a mistake at work that had repercussions for security.<\/p>\n

With so much at stake, more refined processes \u2014 alongside more training and enhanced internet security \u2014 are required to protect employees and businesses in the modern working environment. Opting to monitor employee internet usage will allow your managers to:<\/p>\n

1. Maximise Employee Productivity<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Your entire workforce must use their time effectively. More top performers leave<\/a> long-standing posts, leaving the rest of your team to pick up the slack. This is where sub-optimal productivity can have a huge impact on your business, typically resulting in missed deadlines, poor quality work and frustration among other employees.<\/p>\n

If team members find time to spare \u2014 or procrastinate over important tasks \u2014 you need to promote positive engagement to keep them on track with their personal development. Taking bold steps to align your employees\u2019 new working conditions with your company goals is key to success, so why not take a moment to learn about Handdy\u2019s features<\/a> and find out if your organisation could benefit from employee monitoring software.<\/p>\n

2. Reduce Unproductive Behaviours<\/strong><\/h2>\n

It\u2019s been reported that work-from-home professionals are watching more TV during work hours<\/a> since the beginning of the pandemic. While your employees are entitled to do what they please during their breaks, watching TV when they should be working is unacceptable. The same goes for visiting social media sites or playing games while at work.<\/p>\n

These unproductive practices can be quelled by monitoring browsing patterns and application usage, allowing you to spot employees who aren\u2019t making the best use of their time. Letting your employees know that you\u2019ll be monitoring their online activity at work also promotes a better working environment. Working remotely can blur the lines between employees\u2019 professional and personal lives, but apps like Handdy <\/a>help create a clear boundary between work and everything else.<\/p>\n

3. Protect Company Property<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Allowing employees to use company equipment like laptops and desktop computers has many benefits, but company property needs to be protected. You can easily install apps and software like Handdy <\/a>remotely to ensure that company practices are upheld, safeguarding your employees and devices as a result.<\/p>\n

If company property is misused, it can likely result in expensive repairs and decreased productivity. Monitoring employee activity online while they\u2019re working can reduce the likelihood of misuse, saving your company time and money. It could also protect your business from a data breach.<\/p>\n

4. Protect Sensitive Company Information<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Your company holds all kinds of sensitive information. Modern organisations need robust cybersecurity protocols in place to protect passwords, login credentials and confidential details. Still, it\u2019s been reported that 47% of individuals<\/a> have fallen for a phishing scam while working from home. Simple mistakes like these could put your entire business in jeopardy.<\/p>\n

Monitoring employee internet activity can help establish the correct working procedures for your workforce to follow, meaning they will be less likely to accidentally give out sensitive information about your organisation or fall foul of increasingly convincing scams<\/a>. It will also discourage employees from visiting unsafe or unauthorised sites using work equipment.<\/p>\n

5. Ensure Optimal Employee Performance<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Using employee monitoring software can help your employees achieve their potential. You can gain insights from granular information about employee performance collected, allowing you to see how employees are getting on in their roles. If they\u2019re spending too much or not enough time on a particular aspect of their job, they may need extra support in upholding their responsibilities.<\/p>\n

Identifying the strengths and weaknesses of your employees can inform personal development and hiring decisions. Still, you can only assess these employee characteristics if you and your management team know exactly how well \u2014 or how poorly \u2014 your staff are performing.<\/p>\n

What if Employees Aren\u2019t Using the Internet Responsibly?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you discover that employees aren\u2019t using their time at work responsibly, you need to put a stop to it straight away. Continuation may harm your organisation or it\u2019s shareholders, so follow these steps as soon as possible:<\/p>\n