Recently, this employee retention speaker and employee retention author was talking with a VP of Operations I have known for years and we got discussing virtual work. This VP of Operations is a believer in a hybrid of virtual and in-person work. He has had that philosophy for years. His rationale is that the hybrid model is the optimal way to go because it enables people to get time away from the office where, all too often, people get interrupted constantly or get sucked into meeting after meeting that kills productivity. He also sees the hybrid as offering the opportunity for people to work face-to-face so that you can build a sense of community/team. He feels that you need the face-to-face to get that. This employee retention trainer would agree.
After we agreed that the hybrid model is probably best, we began talking about how to manage remote workers and ensure that they are working productively. He mentioned that one of his managers recommended using a software called PC Tattletale. PC Tattletale enables a manager to monitor how much time a person is on their computer, what sites they are on and even the keystrokes the person is making. This employee recruitment expert did some research on the software and then the VP of Operations talked further. We were both appalled. If you want to send a message that you don’t respect and trust your people, put software like this on your team’s computer.
From an employee retention strategies, when you send a message of distrust, you will see increased turnover…guaranteed! It is the epitome of micromanaging. Why doesn’t the manager just stand right behind the person as they are working and tell them “do this and don’t do that.” I went so far as to even talk with the HR leaders at other clients to see if I was simply and out-of-touch Neanderthal. They were appalled as well. If you don’t trust someone enough to let them work independently, then there is a problem with a micromanaging leader or people who are not performing. If someone is not performing, talk to them and correct the problem. That is the “R” in Give Your Employees C.R.A.P®…Respect. Also, if you have no idea as to how much work your people should be doing and can’t measure it, you shouldn’t be in a leadership role. Sound metrics are something every organization should have.
Lastly, beyond destroying employee retention, use of software like this will kill employee engagement. Employee engagement and employee retention are crucial to the success of an organization. They drive results. Using a “spying software” to monitor a person’s every moment at work will kill both employee engagement and employee retention. Remember…Give Your Employees C.R.A.P.® (Caring, Respect, Appreciation and Praise) Why? Because C.R.A.P. Works!
Reach out to me on LinkedIn, call or text me at 414-305-9626 to find out how to Give Your Employees C.R.A.P.® during these challenging times AND reduce employee turnover by 35-80%
