×


Is Tracking Remote Employees Ethical?




Hiring RemoteWorking RemotelyRemote Work Resources



Is Tracking Remote Employees Ethical?


Do remote workers need constant monitoring? Explore the dark side of employee tracking and 7 better ways to boost productivity and trust.


Remote work is dominating today’s job market.

But not everyone’s vibing with the flexibility. A handful of employers are convinced their team is secretly binging Netflix or working on their side hustle when they should be on the clock.

Cue the rise of employee tracking software.

These remote surveillance tools allow employers to monitor their WFH teams and their productivity.

Some say they’re ethical if companies are transparent about them. Others think they cross the line, deeming them a total invasion of privacy.

Let’s explore how the top companies boost productivity without Big Brother creeping on their teams.

🙈 The Dark Side of Employee Tracking

If an organization has remote workers, it’s likely using a handful of tracking tools on their company-issued devices. The problem comes when they take that tracking to dystopian levels.

Here's a list of the most commonly used tracking software and apps:

🔍 Employee Monitoring Software

These include screen monitoring, keystroke logging, mouse click counting, and auto screenshot captures every 20 or 30 minutes. 

Organizations that collect an excessive amount of employee data like this don’t just violate employee privacy. They can also be held accountable if that data is misused or exposed. Pretty risky and definitely not cool.

⏱️ Time-Tracking Tools

These log hours worked or time spent at the computer and generate productivity reports. Many include idle time detection, which can feel invasive.


Take a 20-minute break? Log it. Lunch took an hour? Report it and make it up. The result? Stressed, disengaged, and unproductive employees.

📧 Communication Monitoring

These track chat messages, email activity, and meeting attendance. 

Scoping out employees’ internal communications can seriously undermine trust and squash open dialogue. It’s like CC’ing every message you send to your boss.

🖥️ Website and App Usage Trackers

These track how much time employees spend on different websites or applications. They often force employees to forgo much-needed mental health breaks.

👏 The Truth? Tracking Isn’t the Answer

Tracking remote workers is incredibly counterproductive. Here's why:

👀 It Breeds Distrust and Disloyalty

Employees who are constantly watched are less likely to trust their employer. This can lead to decreased morale, lower job satisfaction, and, ultimately, higher turnover.

If you want to advance as a remote team manager, you need a loyal your crew on your side.

😟 It Stifles Creativity

Micromanagement and constant surveillance can stifle creativity and innovation. If employees know “someone” is watching over their shoulder, they may feel added pressure, self-consciousness, and fear of judgment from management.

Employees need the freedom to think outside the box and come up with new ideas without these heightened levels of scrutiny.

🙃 It’s Not Backed By Research

Newsflash: Remote workers are crushing it — even those who treat remote work like a vacation. 

Studies consistently show that remote crews are more productive than their in-office counterparts. They work longer hours, take fewer breaks, and are less likely to call in sick.


Why? Flexibility and trust boost morale, and happy employees get more done.

Micromanagement and surveillance? The exact opposite. Employees who feel watched 24/7 are more likely to feel stressed, anxious, angry, and burned out. 

💸 It’s a Waste of Time and Resources

Implementing and maintaining a complex tracking system can be costly and time-consuming. It's much more efficient to focus on building trust and empowering employees.

Trust breeds performance, while surveillance breeds resentment. So if you’re tracking your team into oblivion, you’re not enhancing productivity — you’re preventing it.

Why would a company want to micromanage a dedicated, talented workforce? It's a recipe for disaster.

🙌 Remote Work Ethics: How To Balance Productivity, Trust, and Respect

There’s a better way to manage a high-performing remote team. 

Skyrocketing productivity isn’t about micromanagement or constant surveillance — it’s about building a foundation of trust and respect.

Employees who feel respected and empowered are more likely to go above and beyond. They're more motivated, engaged, and driven to deliver the best results.

So, how can you build a culture of trust and productivity in your remote team?

🏆 Focus on Outcomes, Not Hours

Ditch the clock-watching mentality. Instead of tracking hours worked, measure results and the quality of their work.

Are employees meeting deadlines? Did they hit their KPIs? Are they happy and engaged?

Good. Their Spotify playlists or cat video breaks don’t matter.

💪 Emphasize Autonomy and Flexibility

Give employees the freedom to manage their own time and set their own schedules.

Provide flexible work arrangements to accommodate different lifestyles. And trust that your team will still get their work done effectively.

Empower them to take breaks when needed, log off at a reasonable hour, and actually use those vacation days. Flexibility inspires loyalty — and loyalty inspires results.


👉 Psst! Use these tips to improve work-life balance at your remote company.

✅ Always Set Clear Expectations

Make sure your employees understand what’s expected of them — they’ll be more confident and productive. 

When good managers and leaders communicate these expectations openly, it shows trust in their team’s ability to deliver.

Clearly define:


Schedule regular check-ins to track progress, provide constructive feedback, and address roadblocks or questions. This keeps your team on track while reinforcing that you trust them to get the job done and have their back — without needing constant oversight.

💬 Encourage Open Communication

Create a culture of open communication where employees feel comfortable sharing their concerns and challenges. Regular check-ins and one-on-one meetings can help build strong relationships and foster trust.

💻 Invest In the Right Remote Tools

Plenty of productivity tools can help you track progress without invading privacy.

Project managers keep everyone organized and on track. Tools like Asana, Trello, Monday.com, etc., provide an overview of everything your team needs to accomplish.

You can assign tasks, monitor timelines, track progress, and identify potential issues — all without resorting to shady surveillance. The transparency keeps everyone accountable while respecting their space.


Personal time trackers. Software like Toggl Track empowers your team to manage their own time effectively. By tracking how long tasks take, they can generate reports to highlight bottlenecks, improve workflows, and set realistic goals — all on their own terms.

Productivity? Check. Privacy? Also check.

Skip anything that screenshots desktops or monitors keystrokes. That’s old-school micromanagement, and nobody’s here for it.

🤖 Treat Your Team Like Humans, Not Robots

The best leaders value their remote workers as human beings — not just a number or a robot — and treat them with respect. They don’t make their employees feel like they’re in a prison or just another cog in the machine.

To show your team how much you value them:

  • Prioritize well-being programs. Encourage work-life balance and healthy boundaries. Offer resources for mental health support. And create a positive and inclusive company culture.

  • Celebrate successes. Recognize and reward your employees' hard work and accomplishments. This will motivate them to continue doing their best.


Happy humans build thriving businesses — no robot could ever compete with that!

👩‍💻 Be Transparent: Honesty Is the Best Policy

Our tips are designed to keep employers from slipping into spy mode. But let’s be real — there are situations where monitoring makes sense. For example, protecting sensitive company data or detecting security threats on devices.


If you genuinely need to implement monitoring, transparency is non-negotiable. Here’s how to do it right:

  • Spell it out. Share a detailed monitoring policy with your team.

  • Explain the why. Let them know exactly what’s being monitored, why it’s necessary, and how it benefits the company (and them!).

  • Set clear boundaries. Be upfront about the scope of monitoring, what you’re looking for, and what you’ll do with the data.


For instance, you might use monitoring software solely for employees accessing sensitive information. The goal? Spotting unauthorized access or security violations — not snooping on their Slack chats or counting coffee breaks.

By limiting monitoring to critical scenarios and communicating openly, you’ll build trust and protect your company without turning into a micromanagement machine. It's a win-win: secure data for you, peace of mind for your team.

✨ Privacy and Respect > Work Surveillance

Remote work thrives on collaboration, flexibility, and mutual respect — not tracked clicks and keystrokes.

We can create happier, more productive, and more successful remote teams by fostering trust, empowering employees, and focusing on results.

So let’s leave the surveillance state in 1984 and embrace the future of remote work. Employers, trust your team. Remote job seekers, find companies prioritizing self-directed productivity and balance over control.

At We Work Remotely, we’re committed to helping people find fulfilling remote work and showing remote leaders how to create workplaces where respect and productivity flourish.

👉 WWR has been the #1 remote job board for over a decade! Create your free Job Seeker account or free Employer account to get in on the action now!


← Back to Blog