How to Use Employee Time Tracking to Create a Plan for Productivity

employee-time-tracking Employee time tracking software is used by businesses to gain an understanding of how employees are spending their time in the office. This is typically used for the purpose of making sure that employees aren’t wasting their time doing non-work activities when they’re getting paid to be working. That’s an important use of the tool but you can actually take employee time tracking further so that it truly benefits your business in a productive manner. You can use the information gained from employee time tracking to create a plan for increased productivity in the office.

Employee time tracking provides you with information about the time that employees spend in the office. This information includes active time vs. idle time, amount of overtime used and amount of time spent on various online activities such as instant messaging programs. Most employers use this information to identify which employees are wasting time online but you can actually use this information to change work assignments and schedules to increase productivity.

Here are the steps to follow to use employee time tracking to create a productivity plan:

1. Install employee time tracking software in order to obtain the information necessary to understand how time is spent in the office today.

2. Identify those employees who are already properly using their time. These will be your new productivity team leaders. The team leaders will serve as time managers for the office.

3. Identify those employees who are wasting too much time on idle activities. Determine what is causing them to be idle. Are they bored? Is there downtime for them between assignments? Are they chatting with friends all day long? Many people simply need more direction in order to use their time properly. After identifying the problems, create a plan for reducing the idle time. Assign team leaders to oversee implementation of this plan.

4. Identify those employees who are using too much overtime. Take a look at where they are wasting time during working hours. Have a discussion with these employees about methods of using their work time better in order to reduce overtime hours. Assign these employees a team leader to assist them in getting work done during normal business hours.

5. Have team leaders observe productivity among the team. This will give you further insight into the methods that may improve productivity within each time.

As you make these plans, you may want to get employee input about the information that you’ve learned from time tracking. Employees may be able to suggest ways to reduce their own idle time. You may find that reducing hours spent in the office, changing people’s days off or making other minor adaptations to the office and encourage improved productivity. Team leaders can help monitor these changes to make sure that they are truly effective. Continue with your time tracking to monitor results of your new plan.