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The Risks of Remote Work (and How To Monitor Them)
July 15, 2024
Remote work models were on the rise before 2020. But as we all know, the COVID-19 pandemic turned the working world upside down and rapidly sped up this new arrangement. Some businesses will never be able to implement hybrid or remote policies, particularly the service industry, direct healthcare, first responders, and more. Other small companies moved some or all of their employees to work from home in 2020; in 2024, many workers are still remote. This type of setup can certainly have its benefits, but there is more nuance to the situation than you may think.
Common Remote Employee Issues
Remote work can bring up some unique issues that employers may not have had to deal with while the team was in office. The most notable is distracted working or not working at all. Some employees may be able to stay focused at home, but others will have their attention quickly accosted. Home offices can work as a dedicated space to log on, yet only some employees may have that space in their home and might end up working at a dining room table or even on their couch. Homes can be full of distractions like children, roommates, other family members, pets, and household chores.
Another common issue with remote employees is the lack of in-person connection. Remote work with new hires can be especially complicated; they may have questions easier for their manager to answer in person. Bosses might not understand the new hire's personality or working style digitally. These are just a few challenges for companies adopting remote work policies.
Internal Fraud
One of the worst possibilities of remote work is internal fraud. There are several ways this could happen. If remote employees are not honest with timesheets or promptly complete their jobs without seeking more tasks, managers could be paying someone who is underperforming. Additionally, just like at a typical office, there is always the chance of financial fraud when employees have access to the company's financials or credit cards – and when they are remote, they may find it easier to break the rules. Ultimately, they have fewer inhibitions when they know they are in their home versus an office with others nearby.
Mouse Jigglers and Deceptive Tech
Management has uncovered another unethical behavior of remote workers: using mouse and keyboard "jigglers" to simulate computer activity. Mouse jigglers are inexpensive gadgets that swivel around the mouse in different directions. When the mouse swivels around, it mimics actual computer activity and gives the impression that workers are at their computer when they are not (they may not even be at the house).
Beyond mouse-jigglers, other tech, such as devices that can manually tap keys randomly to imitate keystrokes, has entered the market. As this tech advances, employers must stay vigilant.
Employee Monitoring Software as a Solution
Managers need a way to supervise remote employees at home, and monitoring software has become the go-to strategy to meet this need. For mouse jigglers, worker-surveillance software systems such as
Teramind and
Hubstaff use machine-learning tools to catch repetitive cursor movements and irregular patterns. Some software can also randomly scrape screen images throughout the day to test whether screen activity changes as the computer mouse moves. These programs can detect mouse jigglers and other forms of deception.
Costs and Benefits
It's up to each business to weigh the costs and benefits of remote work and decide which structure is best for the company's overall health. While most employees will not go to such lengths as buying mouse jigglers or committing financial fraud, it's essential for management to stay informed about employee activity. Returning to the office may be more effective in the long run if a company has to invest copious amounts of energy into remote work rules and employee-monitoring software.
At the Alexander Group, we advise our small business owners to keep employees in the office whenever possible. Accountability, collaboration, and creativity are positive traits of high performers, and working in an office can nurture these traits.
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