Methods to Improve Productivity of Isolated Employees

Your small business cannot afford to waste any money, and reduced productivity on the part of employees can be the biggest waste your business experiences. When you have employees who work in isolation from you and other employees, you may find it difficult to maintain productivity. With some technology and careful planning, you can monitor isolated employees effectively.
Computer Monitoring
You can monitor an isolated employee’s computer work with various software packages. Get software that tells you what websites an employee visits and how long that employee stays on those websites. Track the number of mistakes made on a keyboard, along with the typing speed. You have a right to monitor company email and protect the use of your company name. Find software that checks the content of email samples and watches for the use of specific words.
Video Monitoring
You can place hidden or visible video cameras throughout your facility. Watch for productivity lapses, safety violations, misconduct and theft. If you point out the cameras to new hires, they have the choice to accept the cameras or refuse the job, and you end up with employees who accept the cameras and adjust their behavior accordingly. If you prefer to keep cameras hidden, be aware that employees who discover the cameras will point them out to other workers. Even when employees know they are on camera, they may misbehave based on the assumption that you will not watch the tapes. Make sure you check tapes regularly and correct any problems you find. This will deter troublesome behavior among employees who work in isolated areas.
Measurable Goals
Assign tasks that can be measured. This helps you gauge an isolated employee’s productivity. If you feel that tasks are not being completed in a timely manner, you can work with the employee to establish guidelines for specific tasks and set goals for productivity. You then can monitor those tasks and evaluate improvements in productivity. In short, deadlines can keep an isolated employee busy.
Assessing Performance
Conduct performance assessments regularly so that your isolated employee realizes you are aware of her productivity. Ask the employee to assess her own productivity and set goals that are progressive yet reachable. Talk to the employee regularly to ask how work is going and find out if there is anything you can do to make the job go more smoothly. Your occasional presence will keep the employee aware that physical isolation is not an excuse for reduced productivity.
Author:Kevin Johnston
Article Source: http://smallbusiness.chron.com/monitoring-productivity-isolated-employees-37665.html