Remote vs office: Address productivity with Time Doctor

Actionable insights to improve
team productivity & performance

Why managers worry about remote productivity

One big challenge with remote work is that managers find it hard to judge how productive employees are when they can’t see them in person. Not being able to “see” the work happening can make managers fear that tasks aren’t being done efficiently. This lack of trust between leaders and staff can slow down the progress and success of remote teams.

Addressing managers’ fears

Measuring productivity in remote work

Traditional methods of tracking work—like counting the hours employees spend in the office—don’t work well for remote teams. This can lead to misunderstandings about how much work is actually being done.

Concerns about fake activity

Some remote employees might use tools like mouse jigglers or auto-clickers to make it look like they are active online when they are not really working. This can further damage the trust between managers and remote staff. Such actions not only give a false picture of productivity but also break company rules and ethical standards.

Preventing burnout in remote work

While remote work offers flexibility, it can blur the lines between work and personal life. This might lead to working too much and feeling exhausted.

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Remote work has changed the way many of us do our jobs. Many managers wonder: Are remote employees as productive as those in the office? Even though studies show that remote teams can work very well, some doubts remain. To make the most of remote work, we need to understand and address these concerns.

Remote work productivity insights: Detecting productivity vs work faking

Employees holding multiple full-time jobs

Another emerging concern is remote employees taking on two full-time jobs simultaneously without informing either employer. This can lead to conflicts of interest, reduced productivity, and burnout. It also raises legal and ethical questions about employment agreements and fair work practices.

Proof that remote work can be productive

Research shows that remote workers can be even more productive:

A Stanford study found that remote employees did 13.5% more work.

77% of remote workers say they are more productive at home due to fewer distractions.

Tools to track productivity

Managers can use tools like Time Doctor to:

Monitor time spent on tasks: See how employees are spending their time on different tasks.
Understand productivity without being intrusive: Get insights into work patterns without invading privacy.
Assist employees in time management: Help team members manage their time better for improved productivity.

Supporting employee well-being

Encourage breaks: Remind employees to take regular breaks.
Set work hours: Help them set clear times for work and rest.
Watch for stress: Managers should look out for signs of burnout and offer support.

Comparing in-office vs. remote productivity with Time Doctor

A case study using Time Doctor looked at 450 employees of a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) company over six months. The study found that remote employees had a 56% reduction in unproductive time compared to those in the office.

Additionally, remote employees worked 44% more productive hours per week compared to their in-office counterparts, largely due to fewer distractions. By using Time Doctor’s tools to track and analyze work data, the company was able to make an informed decision to transition to a fully remote workforce.