Time tracking is one of the most hotly debated topics in companies. While many support its benefits, few see it as a source of being tracked during their working hours.
To avoid such misconceptions, it’s very crucial for companies to briefly introduce time tracking to their employees. This practice will help the employees to overcome their doubts and enjoy the benefits of time tracking to the fullest.
Don’t know where to start?
This article will guide you through some of the key tips for flawlessly introducing time tracking to your employees.
Let’s first discuss the importance of introducing time tracking to your employees.
Importance of introducing time tracking to employees
Time tracking increases employees’ productivity:
Companies don’t use time tracking software to see if an employee is productive for the entire 8 hours or to force them to stay focused all of the time. Instead, they use it to determine when they are most productive and help with dividing their tasks.
According to a study by Accelo, time tracking on a daily basis improves productivity by 80% and accuracy by 66% which proves that time logging increases employee engagement and discipline at work.
Time tracking improves work quality:
When time tracking is not introduced in the right manner, employees start to doubt their work and wonder “if they are underperforming”. They assume that time trackers are introduced to keep an eye on them and punish them for not working hard enough.
But in fact, the tracked data helps employees to examine the aspects they are lacking and work on improving them.
Therefore, it is very important for a company to introduce the motive of time tracking clearly.
Tracking time does not invade privacy:
It’s now time to address the elephant in the room. Invading privacy through time trackers is one of the most common concerns of employees.
According to an article by BBC, 56% of UK employees feel that their managers monitor their activities and the collected data is misused by the company.
To remove such fear of employees, companies should ensure that the time tracking tool is used in a transparent and equitable manner.
Time tracking eliminates micromanagement:
Time tracking often leads to managers objecting and correcting every small detail of a project. This results in an over controlling work environment and leaves employees confused, unhappy, and demotivated.
Time tracking enables managers to keep track of employees’ progress and make sure that the project objectives are actionable and that the team is meeting their deadlines.
Managers should give their employees the autonomy to achieve effective results and avoid interfering in every step to eliminate micromanagement.
Expectations of using time tracking
Time tracking can be used for better time management:
With time tracking in place, employees can keep a track of their working hours and analyze the total time spent on unproductive activities.
This data would help them to improve their productivity and reduce burnout. It would also help them to maintain a better work-life balance, and stay more focused, and motivated at work.
It is not used to remedy poor communication and teamwork:
Time tracking can help with employee productivity but it cannot be used to remedy poor communication and teamwork.
Therefore, the management should make sure that their employees have a strong sense of teamwork and team communication before introducing time tracking.
Top ways to introduce time tracking to employees
01. Discuss the problems first:
Start with discussing the problems employees face in remote and hybrid work. Hearing their concerns will make them feel valued.
Once all the problems are discussed, tell them about your solution of implementing time tracking in the company and how it can solve their problems.
Introduce time tracking as a way to manage operations effectively.
02. Explain the benefits and purpose of time tracking:
While introducing time tracking to employees, make sure that you are open and informative about how it works, and how the company will use it to make employee time management better.
Be honest and clear about your expectations and motive so that the employees do not feel like being watched or plotted.
Introduce the different benefits of time tracking for employees and why it is good for the long run.
03. Let your employees know what exactly will be tracked:
Before using the software, make sure you divide the project into different segments and sub-projects to demonstrate the purpose of time tracking and what exactly will be tracked to make the whole process transparent.
Make sure employees know how the data will be used to increase employee productivity and to track progress made in different projects.
04. Reassure employees with its benefits:
Reassure employees that they will not be judged on the basis of their total working time but their productivity period. Inform them that their working patterns will not be questioned as long as they are yielding good results and delivering better performance.
Also, don’t forget to mention that time tracking will only help them.
05. Be open during Q&A:
The most important part of introducing a time tracker is to answer employee questions and queries while allowing them to share their point of view.
Conclusion
For introducing time tracking to employees, companies should be honest and clear about the process. This will help employees develop trust in the new change and use the resources effectively to manage their time and increase productivity.
KonarkPro is a new-age time management tool that helps employees to improve productivity and efficiency. It brings transparency and accountability among the teams and provides ways to manage your working hours effectively.