Hybrid and remote work environments are enduringly popular, with a recent Gallup poll showing 52% of U.S. jobs are hybrid and 27% are exclusively remote. Employers and employees see numerous benefits from remote work, with increased productivity being a standout. Still, some managers find it difficult to trust that their employees are working, with 85% of leaders saying hybrid work makes it difficult to have confidence in employee productivity when they can’t see their employees working.
Traditional oversight methods like direct supervision and physical presence don’t work when employees are off-site. Plus, employees need autonomy and trust in the workplace, or they can start feeling increased stress, higher rates of disengagement and even burnout. Managers are left asking: How can I measure the productivity of remote workers without micromanaging?
Explore seven ways to measure remote worker productivity without micromanaging in this guide for managers.
7 ways to measure the productivity of remote workers
Trusting that work is being done is one of the biggest challenges for managers of remote workers. It can be tempting to micromanage employees, which includes checking in constantly, monitoring minute tasks or taking over tasks without delegating. Micromanagement is also a waste of time for managers, who need to focus on other projects to ensure organizational success. Managers can follow these seven ways to measure remote productivity while avoiding micromanagement to build trust and autonomy in their teams.
1. Set clear goals and key performance indicators (KPIs)
Establishing clear goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) is the first important step in providing remote workers with a clear sense of direction. These goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound (SMART). When managers define what success looks like, employees can align their efforts more effectively with organizational goals.
Managers should also revisit these goals regularly to ensure they’re still relevant and make adjustments based on changing circumstances. This clarifies expectations and empowers employees to take ownership of their tasks, which fosters a sense of accountability. Involving team members in the goal-setting process also enhances their commitment to achieving those objectives, as they feel invested in the outcomes.
2. Use productivity monitoring software to track progress
Managers of remote teams should leverage software to track productivity levels and progress. Productivity monitoring solutions like ActivTrak give managers deeper insights into when, where and how employees are most productive. This allows managers to monitor focus time, collaborative time and non-productive time to fix issues without having to reach out to employees constantly. It also gives employees and managers insight into strengths and weaknesses with time management or distractions to implement proactive solutions together.
Additionally, project time management tools and project management software like Trello, Asana or Monday.com give team members ways to visualize their tasks, deadlines and projects. This transparency helps everyone stay on the same page and facilitates collaboration, even from a distance.
3. Implement regular check-ins (without hovering)
Regular, thoughtful check-ins are beneficial for remote teams, as long as the meetings focus on support and guidance instead of hovering. Weekly or bi-weekly one-on-ones give employees an opportunity to discuss challenges, share progress and seek advice without having to interrupt their productivity.
Framing these conversations as collaborative problem-solving sessions instead of performance evaluations fosters a supportive environment where employees feel comfortable discussing their work or any obstacles they face. Incorporating feedback from these sessions also helps refine processes and improve team dynamics, ultimately leading to a more cohesive and productive remote workforce.
4. Monitor outcomes, not just activity
Focusing solely on activity leads to a false sense of productivity. Instead, managers should monitor outcomes and results. This means evaluating whether work meets established goals and KPIs rather than simply tracking the number of hours worked or tasks completed.
Managers can better understand team member effectiveness by emphasizing results. This encourages employees to prioritize quality and impact over presenteeism or appearing active, leading to more meaningful contributions. Recognizing and celebrating these outcomes also motivates employees to strive for excellence and reinforces a culture of high performance and continuous improvement.
5. Analyze idle time and focus time metrics
Understanding how employees spend their time gives managers valuable insights into productivity. Analyzing idle time and focus time metrics helps identify patterns that may indicate inefficiencies or distractions for employees. Tools like ActivTrak that track time spent on tasks at work and correlate it with other data reveal where employees excel and where they may need additional support.
Managers need to focus on understanding work habits rather than finding ways to penalize employees for taking breaks or having downtime. This leads to tailored strategies that enhance productivity without compromising employee well-being. For example, if data shows employees are consistently distracted during certain hours by things like unnecessary meetings, emails or messages from coworkers, managers can consider adjusting work schedules or implementing focused work sessions to minimize interruptions and enhance concentration.
6. Encourage self-reporting and ownership
Encouraging employees to self-report on their work and productivity fosters a sense of ownership and accountability. Managers can gain insights into individual productivity levels without needing to give constant oversight by allowing employees to track their progress and report on their achievements.
This practice empowers employees while encouraging them to reflect on their work and identify areas for improvement. Regular self-assessments can lead to increased motivation and a proactive approach to personal and professional development. Employers can facilitate peer recognition and support by creating a platform for sharing self-reports, which will enhance team morale and encourage a culture of continuous feedback and growth.
7. Create a results-oriented culture
Managers should build a results-oriented culture to measure productivity effectively in remote workplaces. This kind of culture emphasizes the importance of outcomes over busyness and encourages employees to focus on delivering value rather than just completing tasks. An organization-wide results-oriented mindset goes a long way in increasing productivity, work quality and employee satisfaction for remote employees.
As always, leaders and managers must model the behavior they wish to see. Start by recognizing the rewarding employees for their contributions to organizational goals to reinforce how important results are. Foster open communication and collaboration to create an environment where employees feel valued and motivated to perform at their best. Offering opportunities for professional development and skills enhancement ensures employees are equipped to meet the evolving demands of their roles and the organization.
Measure remote worker productivity confidently with ActivTrak
Trusting employees to get their jobs done is one of the biggest challenges for managers in a remote work environment, but when managers are empowered to let go of micromanagement through the right policies and tools, they can ensure productivity and employee satisfaction in the long run. Automating productivity monitoring with tools like ActivTrak gives managers peace of mind to trust that their remote employees are working without resorting to micromanagement.
Empower your managers with the insights they need to support employee productivity and well-being with ActivTrak’s productivity monitoring solution. Understand how work gets done to remove bottlenecks and reinforce work-from-home policies with insights into real productivity, no matter where employees are. Sign up for a free preview of how ActivTrak can revolutionize the way your managers understand productivity in your remote workplace today.
