How to make a business more effective? Does employee GPS tracking make workers think about lack of privacy? It is important to know where the employee monitoring system hits the privacy. Aigerim Berzinya, Director of Marketing at Turtler explains benefits and potential risks of GPS tracking
Productivity levels are a key concern in every business. Each employee within a company is (pardon the cliché) a cog in a machine, and their efficiency has a direct impact on overall productivity, however minor their role may be.
Employers want their staff to be at their best and deliver the finest results they can at all times, but motivating them is not always quite so easy as it should be. Today, however, GPS tracking enables Ireland’s businesses to keep tabs on employees at all times, with an aim to boost performance and minimise wasted time.
There are a number of ways in which GPS tracking can contribute to a more efficient, more productive workforce – but there are negative side-effects too. Namely, the potential invasion of privacy for Irish workers.
The Benefits of GPS Tracking
One of the major advantages of introducing GPS tracking to your everyday operations? Planning.
This applies mainly to businesses specialising in delivering cargo, particularly with a fleet of trucks running up and down motorways throughout Ireland (and further afield). Punctuality is vital: B2B and B2C clients alike will be infuriated if they receive deliveries later than expected. This can have a far-reaching impact on your reputation.
After all, it only takes one bad review online to spark doubts in a potential customer. For SMEs, building a solid reputation is incredibly important, and the power of unsatisfied customers should never be underestimated by the SMEs that make up more than 98% of Ireland’s businessesOpens a new window .
With GPS trackingOpens a new window , businesses can monitor the routes their drivers take and advise them of any quicker alternatives; they may be able to stay updated with potential obstacles or diversions, minimising wasted time. The driver him or herself will have their own GPS device installed in their vehicle too, and both parties can discuss any complications or suggestions while viewing the same data.
Another benefit of GPS tracking is reducing expenses – most notably, regarding fuel. A driver may consistently choose routes which end up taking longer than expected, or drive in a way that consumes more fuel, leading to higher spends. Businesses might also become suspicious of a driver’s expense claims, and wish to compare their driving habits with the money spent.
GPS tracking devices gives employers the freedom to evaluate how truthful or efficient their drivers are being. In itself, the very installation of GPS devices and monitoring software can deter any unethical behaviour, and inspire employees to work at a higher standard.
Still, companies in Ireland may use GPS tracking in their offices, warehouses, factories, and shops. These may be installed as apps on phones (either personal models or those provided by the business), or equipped as wearable technology (such as a wristband).
With GPS tracking in place, employers can monitor workers during the day, assessing their activities and habits. For example, an employee in an office might spend most of the day going from one department to another, chatting to fellow workers, and distracting themselves and their colleagues. While this may not be a major concern on rare occasions, if this is taking place regularly (or even daily), it can seriously affect productivity – and, ultimately, revenue.
GPS devices give businesses the ability to address such issues with workers as needed, to reduce wasted time as soon as possible. They may provide data reinforcing the amount of time said employee spent away from their desk, distracting others, and break down the effect this can have on performance overall.
Again, the presence of GPS tracking technology can be enough to inspire and motivate workers to perform at their best.
The Potential Risks of GPS Tracking
A business has the right to implement tracking in some cases. In As we have discussed already, GPS technology offers a number of benefits – but it can be seen as an invasion of privacy.
**The Data Protection Commissioner of Ireland stipulates that any company planning to integrate GPS Opens a new window into their operations has a good reason to do so, and can back this claim up**. It’s also imperative that businesses do not use the tracking technology to oversee employees’ activities outside of work, which is a breach of privacy.
In some cases, companies might install a tracking app on their employees’ work or personal phones. They must show their workers how to disable the feature, to prevent any danger of their personal activities being overseen by their employer. They should also be reassured of the technology’s security, to quell concerns over sensitive data being accessed by persons without permission.
In the past, Irish workers have taken offence to being monitoredOpens a new window by GPS tracking technology, believing it a step too far and infringing on their privacy. It’s a fair claim, particularly in cases where workers were not made aware of their employers’ surveillance. Workers might feel defensive at the suggestion of being monitored, inferring that their employers don’t trust them to perform as required, and ultimately have a negative impact on morale.
This is why it’s so pivotal for any company to be transparent with employees about any intention to begin monitoring them. They should be fully open about their reasons, and how they will use any data gathered.
**A workforce that feels trusted, respected, and motivated will be far more productive than one that doesn’t**. It’s in every company’s best interests to take these issues seriously.