Discussion
Anyone had any experience with this software? From what I can understand this software captures everything that is done by the user, websites accessed, etc.
My employer loaded this onto every employees laptop earlier this year with the assurance that it wouldn't be used to spy or micromanage but it seems to me this is exactly what it's being used for. We are already hearing of people being questioned because Soroco Scout says that they are not working 100% of their time. I have told management that just because someone isn't wiggling their mouse or accessing a spreadsheet it doesn't mean they're not working. They could be working on paper or reading documents, etc
People are getting very concerned that the management will use the data to discipline or even sack employees.
Any thoughts?
My employer loaded this onto every employees laptop earlier this year with the assurance that it wouldn't be used to spy or micromanage but it seems to me this is exactly what it's being used for. We are already hearing of people being questioned because Soroco Scout says that they are not working 100% of their time. I have told management that just because someone isn't wiggling their mouse or accessing a spreadsheet it doesn't mean they're not working. They could be working on paper or reading documents, etc
People are getting very concerned that the management will use the data to discipline or even sack employees.
Any thoughts?
I dont think any employer can realistically expect employees to be working 100% of the time. People take comfort breaks, go to make a drink, make telephone calls, work offline.
However if 99% of employees are working, say, 75% of the time and a couple are doing 40% then, as a manager, would you not want to be asking why?
WFH has a huge amount of perks for employees but it does make it easier for skivers to hide.
However if 99% of employees are working, say, 75% of the time and a couple are doing 40% then, as a manager, would you not want to be asking why?
WFH has a huge amount of perks for employees but it does make it easier for skivers to hide.
Countdown said:
However if 99% of employees are working, say, 75% of the time and a couple are doing 40% then, as a manager, would you not want to be asking why?
This software won't tell you why. Also, if the manager is any good, they will be aware of the employee's output without needing the software.
unzippy said:
This software won't tell you why.
That's why you speak to the Employee.unzippy said:
Also, if the manager is any good, they will be aware of the employee's output without needing the software.
It depends on the number of direct reports you have and the nature of the work they are doing.Let's say they work in a call centre. If they're working from home how would you know if they've been on the phone for 10 minutes of the day or 7 hours without having some kind of software to log calls answered?
Countdown said:
unzippy said:
This software won't tell you why.
That's why you speak to the Employee.unzippy said:
Also, if the manager is any good, they will be aware of the employee's output without needing the software.
It depends on the number of direct reports you have and the nature of the work they are doing.Let's say they work in a call centre. If they're working from home how would you know if they've been on the phone for 10 minutes of the day or 7 hours without having some kind of software to log calls answered?
Countdown said:
unzippy said:
This software won't tell you why.
That's why you speak to the Employee.unzippy said:
Also, if the manager is any good, they will be aware of the employee's output without needing the software.
It depends on the number of direct reports you have and the nature of the work they are doing.Let's say they work in a call centre. If they're working from home how would you know if they've been on the phone for 10 minutes of the day or 7 hours without having some kind of software to log calls answered?
unzippy said:
Countdown said:
unzippy said:
This software won't tell you why.
That's why you speak to the Employee.unzippy said:
Also, if the manager is any good, they will be aware of the employee's output without needing the software.
It depends on the number of direct reports you have and the nature of the work they are doing.Let's say they work in a call centre. If they're working from home how would you know if they've been on the phone for 10 minutes of the day or 7 hours without having some kind of software to log calls answered?
Ive no idea what the OP does but I assume Management feel that Sonoco is the most appropriate software to use.
ETA if the software doesn't do what management need it to do why would they keep using it, especially to discipline people?
Edited by Countdown on Friday 14th August 17:11
CHLEMCBC said:
Are you being deliberately obtuse. That information will be captured by the VOIP software, it would not be necessary to use the OP's stated software for this purpose.
I'm not sure why you're being such an arse? It was a general response to why Management might use software to track workload.Countdown said:
I was giving an example of why Managers might need to use software to monitor employees.
Ive no idea what the OP does but I assume Management feel that Sonoco is the most appropriate software to use.
ETA if the software doesn't do what management need it to do why would they keep using it, especially to discipline people?
If a company has to use spyware to measure output or determine what employees are doing, that company is already doomed. Ive no idea what the OP does but I assume Management feel that Sonoco is the most appropriate software to use.
ETA if the software doesn't do what management need it to do why would they keep using it, especially to discipline people?
Edited by Countdown on Friday 14th August 17:11
Best advice I can offer to the OP is update your CV and start applying for jobs. Best not to be the last rat off that sinking ship.
captain_cynic said:
If a company has to use spyware to measure output or determine what employees are doing, that company is already doomed.
Best advice I can offer to the OP is update your CV and start applying for jobs. Best not to be the last rat off that sinking ship.
Absolutely.Best advice I can offer to the OP is update your CV and start applying for jobs. Best not to be the last rat off that sinking ship.
Thanks for all those who have replied.
To put some meat on the bone, I work for a financial services company that introduced Scout earlier this year with the promise that it wouldn't be used for surveillance or micromanagement.
But already the company are picking people up for not being active for at least 80% of their contracted hours. Now I'm not saying this isn't entirely correct but what concerns me is what allowance Scout makes for breaks, people working but not on their laptops e.g. planning, reading reports, etc. And also for those who work from an office when they have to go for a meeting without their laptop I presume this is also classed as being inactive.
This is causing a lot of stress amongst staff and whilst this could be amongst those who aren't pulling their weight I fear this could be used for other purposes such as disciplinary and/or reducing the workforce as people feel pushed out.
To put some meat on the bone, I work for a financial services company that introduced Scout earlier this year with the promise that it wouldn't be used for surveillance or micromanagement.
But already the company are picking people up for not being active for at least 80% of their contracted hours. Now I'm not saying this isn't entirely correct but what concerns me is what allowance Scout makes for breaks, people working but not on their laptops e.g. planning, reading reports, etc. And also for those who work from an office when they have to go for a meeting without their laptop I presume this is also classed as being inactive.
This is causing a lot of stress amongst staff and whilst this could be amongst those who aren't pulling their weight I fear this could be used for other purposes such as disciplinary and/or reducing the workforce as people feel pushed out.
Things will not improve at this company. Performance will suffer as the management spend all their time snooping on staff, and the atmosphere will deteriorate as mgt then blame said staff for the loss of performance which is actually of their own doing. Classic vicious circle.
Get another job.
Get another job.
Morale, which wasn't great to begin with, has taken a nosedive. I've already heard of people going to their GP with stresses.
People are actively logging their active and non active time to see if their stats tally with managements.
I am going to request to management that we are shown the stats weekly and that way we have half a chance to explain any excessive periods of non-activity. I'm sure my request will be refused.
Luckily I'm of an age where I could retire but I'm not sure I'm ready to go from 5 days to no days. I did ask if I could drop 1 or 2 days but this was refused.
People are actively logging their active and non active time to see if their stats tally with managements.
I am going to request to management that we are shown the stats weekly and that way we have half a chance to explain any excessive periods of non-activity. I'm sure my request will be refused.
Luckily I'm of an age where I could retire but I'm not sure I'm ready to go from 5 days to no days. I did ask if I could drop 1 or 2 days but this was refused.
If this software has to be deployed to find out who isnt working 'hard enough ' the management aren't doing their job. They should know how busy people are, how much work they are doing and if they're missing deadlines etc. If they are doing the work required to the expected level who cares if they are only active 40% of the time ? If the management is this bad the company has way bigger problems and I'd be looking for another gig.
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