Remote employee monitoring
Discussion
I'm trying to find something like a keyboard/mouse activity monitor that will send an alert, email or text message, if no activity for x-minutes.
We're keen to reopen a small office with just one employee but concerned that if they have a fall/faints/whatever there is no-one on hand to provide support. We don't need to know what they're doing - we're not trying to spy on them.
Simple things like running skype/teams either with/without a camera are too reactive - someone has to be actively monitoring it to be effective. We need something that'll notify us if things go quiet.
Any recommendations, please?
We're keen to reopen a small office with just one employee but concerned that if they have a fall/faints/whatever there is no-one on hand to provide support. We don't need to know what they're doing - we're not trying to spy on them.
Simple things like running skype/teams either with/without a camera are too reactive - someone has to be actively monitoring it to be effective. We need something that'll notify us if things go quiet.
Any recommendations, please?
AJ5641 said:
Is this question a result of your lone working risk assessment? What other controls are you implementing? What risk grading did you give the lone working?
I suspect so, but not my area. I've just been asked to set this bit up.We've come up with a simple solution.

Schedule a task to send email alert when the screensaver kicks in.
https://www.lonealert.co.uk/
We have a device from these for our chap than looks after the production machines at night. Works great, he took it off once and left it on a table and also ignored his mobile ringing. Myself and 2 colleagues were all there in 10 mins at 3am!!
Easy to set and it only monitors him moving around and staying upright. He also has to press a button every now and again to tell the system all is ok.
We have a device from these for our chap than looks after the production machines at night. Works great, he took it off once and left it on a table and also ignored his mobile ringing. Myself and 2 colleagues were all there in 10 mins at 3am!!
Easy to set and it only monitors him moving around and staying upright. He also has to press a button every now and again to tell the system all is ok.
LordGrover said:
I'm trying to find something like a keyboard/mouse activity monitor that will send an alert, email or text message, if no activity for x-minutes.
We're keen to reopen a small office with just one employee but concerned that if they have a fall/faints/whatever there is no-one on hand to provide support. We don't need to know what they're doing - we're not trying to spy on them.
Simple things like running skype/teams either with/without a camera are too reactive - someone has to be actively monitoring it to be effective. We need something that'll notify us if things go quiet.
Any recommendations, please?
Why not just get them an emergency fob like the OAP's getWe're keen to reopen a small office with just one employee but concerned that if they have a fall/faints/whatever there is no-one on hand to provide support. We don't need to know what they're doing - we're not trying to spy on them.
Simple things like running skype/teams either with/without a camera are too reactive - someone has to be actively monitoring it to be effective. We need something that'll notify us if things go quiet.
Any recommendations, please?
LordGrover said:
I'm trying to find something like a keyboard/mouse activity monitor that will send an alert, email or text message, if no activity for x-minutes.
We're keen to reopen a small office with just one employee but concerned that if they have a fall/faints/whatever there is no-one on hand to provide support. We don't need to know what they're doing - we're not trying to spy on them.
Simple things like running skype/teams either with/without a camera are too reactive - someone has to be actively monitoring it to be effective. We need something that'll notify us if things go quiet.
Any recommendations, please?
The lone worker guidance on HSE's site is quite pragmatic.We're keen to reopen a small office with just one employee but concerned that if they have a fall/faints/whatever there is no-one on hand to provide support. We don't need to know what they're doing - we're not trying to spy on them.
Simple things like running skype/teams either with/without a camera are too reactive - someone has to be actively monitoring it to be effective. We need something that'll notify us if things go quiet.
Any recommendations, please?
LordGrover said:
I'm trying to find something like a keyboard/mouse activity monitor that will send an alert, email or text message, if no activity for x-minutes.
We're keen to reopen a small office with just one employee but concerned that if they have a fall/faints/whatever there is no-one on hand to provide support. We don't need to know what they're doing - we're not trying to spy on them.
Simple things like running skype/teams either with/without a camera are too reactive - someone has to be actively monitoring it to be effective. We need something that'll notify us if things go quiet.
Any recommendations, please?
Why can't this person do this job from home?We're keen to reopen a small office with just one employee but concerned that if they have a fall/faints/whatever there is no-one on hand to provide support. We don't need to know what they're doing - we're not trying to spy on them.
Simple things like running skype/teams either with/without a camera are too reactive - someone has to be actively monitoring it to be effective. We need something that'll notify us if things go quiet.
Any recommendations, please?
Wacky Racer said:
What a strange post.
Thousands of people work in offices alone without having heart attacks or fainting........
Has the person got previous or ongoing medical issues?
I don't think it is that odd, or Orwellian (in this case) but lone working is fairly well established and HSE provides guidance. Unless the employee has additional requirements then the company could sleep easy by following the HSE. Thousands of people work in offices alone without having heart attacks or fainting........
Has the person got previous or ongoing medical issues?
If they want to apply additional safeguards then some form of electronic dead mans handle rather than surveillance would be possible but not needed in an office?
IANAL.
LordGrover said:
We've come up with a simple solution. 
Schedule a task to send email alert when the screensaver kicks in.
If it's a genuine "duty of care" issue then I understand and applaud the fact but this doesn't feel like it. I'd have been deeply unhappy if it were me on the receiving end, even if I were told up front (will they be?).
Schedule a task to send email alert when the screensaver kicks in.
What if they have a paper doc or drawing to review?
What will you do when the email alert arrives? Ring them and ask what they're doing?
CAPP0 said:
If it's a genuine "duty of care" issue then I understand and applaud the fact but this doesn't feel like it. I'd have been deeply unhappy if it were me on the receiving end, even if I were told up front (will they be?).
What if they have a paper doc or drawing to review?
What will you do when the email alert arrives? Ring them and ask what they're doing?
And how long? 15 mins? 30? 60? What if they have a paper doc or drawing to review?
What will you do when the email alert arrives? Ring them and ask what they're doing?
I would suggest going for systems that allow the employee to alert that they need help (company mobile, alert tag) rather than systems that directly or indirectly monitor.
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