Key takeaways

• Use GPS monitoring to know where employees are
• Track hours with simple apps for employee time tracking
• Choose reliable employee monitoring software for all-in-one tracking
• Monitor websites used during work with web tools
• Keep your network safe with staff monitoring software
• Stay in touch daily with clear communication

In many businesses, not all employees work from the office. Some work in the field, some visit customer locations, and some are even working from home. These workers are called field employees or remote employees. It can be hard to manage them because you don’t see them every day. That’s why tracking them properly is very important.

Field monitoring is not about spying. It’s about helping your team do their job better, staying safe, and keeping the business running smoothly. With the right tools and methods, it becomes easy to track and support your field team. In this blog, we will explain why field employee tracking is important and what strategies actually work.

Why Field Monitoring of Employees is Important

Keeping track of field and remote employees offers many benefits for both managers and the team. Let’s go over the main reasons why it’s necessary.

1. Improves Work Performance

When employees know they’re being tracked, they stay more focused and avoid wasting time. It helps them complete their tasks faster and better. A little accountability goes a long way in boosting productivity.

2. Accurate Pay Through Employee Time Tracking

Using employee time tracking tools makes sure workers are paid fairly for the exact time they worked. It avoids confusion and helps build trust between employees and employers.

For example, if someone forgets when they started their shift, a tracking app will have it saved.

3. Ensures Safety

Field work can sometimes be dangerous. With proper tracking, you’ll always know where your employees are. If someone is in trouble or there’s an emergency, you can send help quickly. This is important in jobs like construction, delivery, or mobile healthcare.

4. Builds Trust with Customers

If you know exactly where your field team is, you can give accurate updates to customers. For example, a customer can be told, “Your technician will arrive in 15 minutes.” This improves customer satisfaction and your business reputation.

5. Helps Remote Employees Feel Connected

Remote employees often work alone. They can feel left out or disconnected. With tracking and regular check-ins, they feel like they are still part of the team. It also shows them that their work matters and is being noticed.

6. Prevents Misuse of Time or Resources

Sometimes, workers may use company time or tools for personal tasks. Monitoring helps avoid this. It also ensures employees stay focused during work hours and follow company rules.

Simple Strategies to Track Field Employees

You don’t need fancy systems to track field workers. There are simple, affordable, and smart ways to do it. Below are six effective strategies to track your workforce that are easy to follow.

1. GPS Monitoring

What it is: GPS stands for Global Positioning System. It helps track an employee’s real-time location using their phone or a GPS device.

How it helps:

• Confirms employees are at the job site
• Helps plan better travel routes
• Sends quick help in emergencies

Example: A delivery company can track where each driver is and how many stops they’ve completed.

Tip: Many employee monitoring software tools come with built-in GPS. You don’t need separate systems.

2. Tracking Work Hours

What it is: This means keeping track of when employees start, take breaks, and finish their work.

Why it matters:

• Makes payroll correct and easy
• Helps spot overworked employees
• Shows how time is being used for each task

Tools: Many mobile apps let workers “clock in” and “clock out” with one tap. These apps are helpful for both field and remote employees.

Bonus: Using employee time tracking also helps with reporting, planning, and billing clients.

3. Employee Monitoring Solutions

What it is: Employee monitoring software is a tool that helps you track everything in one place, like time, location, and tasks.

What it can do:

• Showthe  current location of field employees
• Keep records of clock-in and clock-out times
• Track how much time is spent on each task
• Offer reports to help improve team performance

Why it works:

• Reduces paperwork
• Makes reports automatic
• Gives a clear view of the team’s daily work

Tip: Choose a tool that works well on both phones and computers. That way, your remote employees can also use it easily.

4. Web Monitoring

What it is: Web monitoring checks which websites and apps employees use during work hours.

Why it’s helpful:

• Keeps employees focused
• It blocks time-wasting websites
• Protects company data and devices from risky sites

Best For: This is great for remote employees who use the internet to complete their work. If someone is watching YouTube or scrolling through social media during work time, web monitoring can alert the manager.

Reminder: Always tell employees when they are being monitored online. It keeps things honest and builds trust.

5. Network Surveillance

What it is: Network surveillance tracks how employees use the company’s systems, like login times, file access, and tool usage.

Why it helps:

• Keeps private data safe
• Detects unusual or risky activity
• Shows how much each system or tool is used

Example: If someone logs in from an unknown device or downloads too many files, the system sends an alert.

Tip: Most staff monitoring software includes this feature to protect your business from cyber threats.

6. Easy Communication Channels

What it is: Using apps, messages, and video calls to stay in touch with your field team.

Why it matters:

• Keeps everyone on the same page
• Allows quick updates and check-ins
• Helps solve problems faster

Tools to use:

• WhatsApp for quick messages
• Zoom or Google Meet for video calls
• Slack or Microsoft Teams for group chats

Best Practice: Do short daily or weekly calls with your team. Ask them how things are going and if they need help. This makes your employees feel supported and improves teamwork.

Conclusion

Field employees play a big role in many businesses. Whether they’re technicians, drivers, cleaners, or remote employees working from home, they all need support and guidance. The best way to help them is by using smart and simple tracking methods.

By combining tools like GPS monitoring, employee time tracking, and employee monitoring software, you can manage your team better, improve their work, and keep your business running smoothly.

These methods are easy to start, cost-effective, and useful for any business, small or large. And most importantly, they show your employees that you care about their success, safety, and productivity.