Hi!

76 Comments

1. KatMay 10,2022 at 7:18PM UTC

   Yes, it's time to clean up your resume and tap into your network for other positions outside of this company. Capturing mouse clicks as a productivity measure (can't see how they correlate at all) takes micromanagement to a whole new level. Did you consent to this or know it was going on? What else are they tracking-your keystrokes, camera activity? Hell no. You deserve to be treated like the smart, capable professional you are-not some child that has to be monitored constantly. There are plenty of companies that don't do this to their employees, so now you have the opportunity to find one!

2. AnonymousMay 10,2022 at 7:35PM UTC

   Wow, this can't be good. Why on earth would this be a viable measure of productivity?

   I too would recommend looking for a new job. While covering your ass this time might buy you time, in the future you are going to focus more on clicks and ways to give management comfort that you are working your litter fingers to the bone.

3. AnonymousMay 10,2022 at 7:43PM UTC

   Wow, that’s crazy, and indicative of a toxic culture. It’s surprising how many companies still work in the dark ages - they’re the ones who lose out when you leave. Good luck with your resume, you shouldn’t be waiting too long to find a more suitable company where you’re appreciated for your deliverables.

4. Elizabyth HarringtonMay 10,2022 at 7:45PM UTC

   Wow. As someone who does a lot of my work (slack chats, emails, zoom meetings) on my phone, as well as spending most of my days in meetings - where I take notes on paper when I'm not listening or speaking, my boss counting mouse clicks would be a total deal breaker for me.

5. AnonymousMay 10,2022 at 7:47PM UTC

   Get out while you can! Buy a mouse jiggler and update you resume. They can't be too concerned about your productivity if they are having you searching through your calendar for answers. If your stellar performance isn't enough it's their loss. There are plenty of companies that will give you that freedom and aren't mouse watchers!

6. AnonymousMay 10,2022 at 7:51PM UTC

   If they give you work to do, and you accomplish it correctly and in the correct time frame, there shouldn't be any issues. Your performance evaluations are good, and they increased your pay....that should mean that they are happy with you.

   Mouse watching is micromanaging and a red flag, IMO. If you are ok with that and like the company stay. If it rubs you the wrong way, look for a company that will treat you like the competent adult that you are.

7. Barb HansenMay 10,2022 at 7:54PM UTC

   What? That's crazy! You have to account for the time that your mouse wasn't moving and I'm assuming that your keyboard wasn't engaged as well?

   You don't say what industry or line of work you are in, so perhaps your job only entails moving your mouse and then I can see that large chunks of time without moving your mouse could mean you're not working, so excusing that type of work, Wow, just Wow!

   Side question, are you the only person this is happening too? I don't know if any answer to that question makes your situation better, I would be interested to know the largest picture at the company, if it were happening to me.

   You need to put a you-sized hole in the front door of the company as you run to your next job (working for a company that doesn't equate mouse movement with quality work).

   I'm sorry this is happening to you, please keep us in the loop on what happens. FGB is a great place to network and find a new job.

8. Monica Lynn SadlerMay 10,2022 at 7:57PM UTC

   I'm so sorry. Companies are trying new avenues of tracking work performance and frankly, I think it's too much. Just because your mouse isn't moving doesn't mean you're not working. There is writing, creating, planning, conference calls and so much more that is done without typing. I think it's insulting to be asked to dig through your calendar and emails to fill the times. Personally, if this is permanent, you may want to clean up that resume. While you consider your options, I would politely point out just what you said...you excel at your job and work days and nights when necessary. Point out anything that makes you valuable. Praying for you. God bless. <3

9. AnonymousMay 10,2022 at 8:01PM UTC

   Are you in a production-based role?

10. Julie HumbirdMay 10,2022 at 8:18PM UTC

    YIKES! Personally, I would refuse to play this game. I would not gather additional information. I would ask HR how and when I consented to this type of monitoring. I would be very clear to everyone that I am now seeking employment that values my contributions and not my mouse activity.

11. AnonymousMay 11,2022 at 12:26PM UTC

    Agreed. I would question the legality of this situation. Huge red flag. I would spend exactly 0 hours on providing proof of your activities whilst your mouse was inactive, and invest the time in finding your next gig. Good luck and I hope you find an employer which doesn’t play big brother.

12. AnonymousMay 10,2022 at 8:25PM UTC

    Omg wow! I would definitely suggest asking your manager what has prompted this report and are all employees subjected to it the same and what the company is hoping to achieve from it?! As you say, the standard of your work is good, you work long hours etc - so this seems very unnecessary. And if it’s just you, despite all the good reviews etc it seems possible to be victimisation. Good luck!

13. Nicole DupuisMay 10,2022 at 8:49PM UTC

    Wow that is pretty shocking. I think the best approach is to be proactive. Ask to set up a meeting with your manager to review where your areas of improvement are. It requires you to prepare some items (what you have accomplished, what projects you have worked on, etc) and more importantly it forces your manager to look passed the logistics of your mouse moving and more on what they are looking for.

    I would also get your resume up to date because, why not? It will make you feel better, it will prep you for when you are ready to move on (now or later) and it will force you to think about all you have done the last 2 years.

14. AnonymousMay 10,2022 at 11:25PM UTC

    I would ask to set a meeting with your manager. I would go over your history/performance and ability to get the job done. Let them know you appreciate the recent raise (due to performance) but also need flexibility appreciate not being micromanaged. Let him know you have plenty of work and think your time could be better used, not sifting through emails to prove you were in front of your computer. Brush off your resume and let them know if the plan moving forward is to micromanage-this may no longer be a good fit for you.

    Boss up-the workforce world is YOURS!

15. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistMay 10,2022 at 11:26PM UTC

    Fire up that resume.

16. AnonymousMay 11,2022 at 12:47AM UTC

    Monitoring mouse activity? Seriously? It's time to leave.

17. AnonymousMay 11,2022 at 3:28AM UTC

    Yikes. My job now monitors my computer activity too. The level of monitoring I’m not sure exactly but the owner is constantly checking up on what I’m doing. I’m also looking for new work.

18. AnonymousMay 11,2022 at 10:23AM UTC

    Whoa. I haven’t heard if that before - in terms of monitoring computer activity. Can you find out whether your boss really cares about the mouse report? Maybe you are worried about the report unnecessarily if you’ve been given good reviews and are viewed as a strong performer.

19. Tomilyn RichardsMay 11,2022 at 10:49AM UTC

    That is pretty intense... I just can't imagine feeling comfortable in an environment like that. Really sorry you are going through that.

20. JeanneMay 11,2022 at 12:15PM UTC

    This is crazy. Our HR department actually told me that I could NOT monitor log in activity for a problem employee. Lots of good advice here- just remember that the HR dept is there to protect your manager, not you. Don’t show your cards yet that you are looking to leave. But if it were me I would definite have a talk with my manager. Bring all your support-positive performance evaluations, any metrics that are tracked that you can show you meet or exceed. Also, they might have been blindsided as well by this report so a conversation with them could be good. Finally, I would prepare an email for HR laying out all your support, summary of your conversation with your manager and what you are know being asked to do (and how you are a top performer). You could say that you are concerned about this level of monitoring and would like to understand how the metrics were set, and that it was never communicated to the employees. HR may not know this is happened h, and they may see that it is risky to the company and stop that practice.

21. GirlBossanova934974May 11,2022 at 12:25PM UTC

    This is really quite simple.
    Use your own computer to get your resume brushed up and start applying for new jobs. Get your Linkedin profile up to date and ready for a new gig. People in your current company have way too much on their hands. I am a business owner and I DON'T in a MILLION years have time to monitor my employee's mouse clicks. I am interested in sales, bookings, contacts, and profit margins. Mouse clicks? Tell ya what these folks can do with their mouse clicks........Can't publish that one! Best of Luck!

22. Rynn StrangeMay 11,2022 at 12:28PM UTC

    There's much more, I suspect , to this than meets the eye. When did this monitoring start? What is the reason management has for doing so? Are all employees being monitored? What does your company policy manual say? Something is definitely going on that triggered such action. You have a lot of good advice here, and updating your resume is only one element. You do need to find out if and when you may have given consent for such monitoring. It could very well be hidden in the policy somewhere. If it just began, then find out when management planned to notify employees that they planned to do so.

23. AnonymousMay 11,2022 at 12:29PM UTC

    Is there a need to be worried? Are you taking advantage of the work from home situation?

24. AnonymousMay 11,2022 at 12:31PM UTC

    Gross. They’re focusing on the wrong things, creating anxiety & friction where there was none. It SHOULD be enough that you complete your work to the company’s satisfaction…

    I don’t know what your particular job is, but I’m assuming things like reading & thinking may be involved and don’t tend to be mouse clicking activities.

    I would be curious how others’ mouse activity stacks up in a similar role but honestly I’m too busy being disgusted at this practice.

    A quick google search shows us the popularity of employee monitoring software and the theories around it increasing productivity. I’m sure we can expect more of this from poorly managed organization that don’t understand proper success metrics. They deserve to lose good employees and just be stuck with the ones who invest in “mouse movers” to game their now ridiculous system.

25. Nancy LysandrouMay 11,2022 at 12:36PM UTC

    Horrible. Not all work is done by keystrokes. Reminds me managing by facetime... Everyone would pack up at the end of the day and sit pretending to work until that ONE manager would walk thru to see who was still there. As soon as he did his "walk by", everyone would bolt. This is not the way to treat people who are contributing to the success of the company.

26. Jenny HarrisonMay 11,2022 at 5:42PM UTC

    I worked with a walk by manager too, only she came around at 4:56 to make sure we didn't leave before 5. Seriously she did. I do a lot of reading and on the phone a lot for my job and I don't have a lot of key strokes or mouse movement, they would think I didn't do anything!

27. AnonymousMay 11,2022 at 12:43PM UTC

    Firstly, I don't think you've been sideswiped by your manager. He or She have been provided with data by your employer's remote monitoring...and he or she is obliged to respond if a certain amount of "non activity" is noted. So...don't shoot the messenger! The fact that your manager is advising you to "dig thru emails and calendar" to fill that time shows that he/she is supportive and wants to remedy this. I sense a deep fear on your part and why??? You might be great, and seem great...but obviously the company is looking for or using other benchmarks. Were you not aware of this? Take a step back. Take a deep breath. Do as your manager advises. Look square in the eye of this fear and anxiety--is there truth, and have you been not working to full potential? If not...then there might be issues. If so (if you're working and busy busy all the time)--and your company is hounding you anyway, then look for another job. Keep us posted.

28. ValerieMay 11,2022 at 12:55PM UTC

    Mouse not moving? ... what about typing on your keyboard? Is that tracked too? Sounds like data is being misinterpreted here. I'd like to know what it matters (unless its clearly a requirement of your job... but I am having a hard time thinking of a computer job that is 100% about mouse movements.) ... Maybe we now need to invent a machine that moves our mouse for us? <groan>

29. Melissa MonsonMay 11,2022 at 1:45PM UTC

    That actually does exist! I know software developers who created programs to jiggle their mouse every 5 seconds...

30. Jesus SantosMay 11,2022 at 12:56PM UTC

    That's basically micromanaging, I was told by a new millennium ( dont give them 100%, they dont appreciate it) I will get the resume ready, at the end of the day the Manager is going to look out for herself not you" Sometimes things happens for a reason, dont be discouraged, start looking you will be surprised what you might find. ?

31. AnonymousMay 11,2022 at 12:58PM UTC

    Red flag! Time to move on. Narcissistic behaviours!

32. AnonymousMay 11,2022 at 1:00PM UTC

    I have a question- did the company send out the report or your manager? Remember, just because you get along with them doesn't mean you're friends. They'll be all buddy-buddy with you when everything is going their way but will turn on you in a heartbeat. Perhaps the company is thinking about promoting you and your manager doesn't want you to get it. Been there done that (not as a manager but as the employee).

33. Ashley BasilioMay 11,2022 at 1:12PM UTC

    This is insane and sounds really toxic. I would try to figure out what prompted this. Is it for you only or everyone? What would a “good score” look like? Time to move on for sure.

34. Melissa Boillot, SHRM - SCPMay 11,2022 at 1:37PM UTC

    Many, many companies started to employ software that tracked employees “productivity” and computer use since COVID began. This is a signal that your companies leadership wanted to monitor employees that were working remote through another means besides work product. This industry blew up in the past two years and plays on the notion that employees can’t be trusted to do what they need to. IMHO this is a tool that is used when leadership isn’t strong enough to actually lead employees. I would also brush up my resume and start looking because this likely could not end well, even if you aren’t separated, because you know your organization employees “gotcha” tactics rather than recite the quality of the work you produce.

35. JC LindquistMay 11,2022 at 1:42PM UTC

    It sounds like your manager is attempting to help you. That said, this seems like a massive red flag regarding the culture of the company. You are not waisting work hours to a CYA project.

    I am so sorry you got blind sided. It's sad the the company is still living in the past work culture that good employee = X number of hours. Companies that focus on 'results' are an indication of good culture. It should not be about the amount of time on the clock, but the results of your efforts.

    Good luck! It's worth considering a move if this is how they are going to evaluate employees going forward.

36. Joanna PoeMay 11,2022 at 1:43PM UTC

    I'd jump ship regardless if a company started equating mouse movement with work. Your product and your reviews should be enough, and the fact that they don't trust that shows they are not to be trusted themselves.

37. CindyMay 11,2022 at 1:44PM UTC

    Well you shouldn't worry too much now ? If youba respectful person, who is carring and doesn't play immature games ?

38. Melissa MonsonMay 11,2022 at 1:49PM UTC

    I'm so sorry you are dealing with these kind of behaviors. I agree with the person below who asked if it was the manager asking for this or the people above him/her?

    It also sounds like not a good company culture if that's how they interpret productivity. Were there any other bad things happening before this or was this just out of left field?

    Either way, I would start updating all your marketing materials. Cover your tracks the best you can to buy time. If you can afford one, hire a career coach to expedite update your marketing materials. Good luck and hang in there. ?

39. AnonymousMay 11,2022 at 1:49PM UTC

    If your company can’t trust that you are doing your job, it’s time to move on. It doesn’t make sense that they gave you a raise and then questioned your time management. Update your resume and Linkedin profile. Sounds like a toxic environment.

40. Kathleen FisherMay 11,2022 at 2:01PM UTC

    Take a deep breath! This isn’t your manager, it’s the company. In my opinion someone in your company bought a new toy. To justify spending money on a program to track employees, they are sending reports to managers and asking for data to prove the money spent was valuable. Don’t kill yourself looking for activities for every minute of your day. Submit a basic agenda of your daily activities. If the company comes back asking for more data, look for a new job!

41. AnonymousMay 11,2022 at 2:26PM UTC

    This probably isn't about you and probably isn't your manager's idea either - this is probably a companywide initiative to track remote resources because there has been a general trend in the industry of a lot of remote workers taking advantage of the situation and not working the hours they say they are.
    If your company is not truly supportive of remote work and you want to stay remote then you should definitely look for a new job where they are more supportive of the remote work model. Good luck!

42. AnonymousMay 11,2022 at 2:56PM UTC

    I would love to know what a “passing grade” would be? If a standard work day is 8 hours, is the assumption that the mouse should move a minimum of 7 hours per day?

    Just reading this is stressful. If the company is fully functional and no issues, what’s the real concern?

    This sounds like micromanaging via technology. Not a fan!

43. AnonymousMay 11,2022 at 2:58PM UTC

    I side with some of the other responders indicating to work with your manager. The manager came to you and is offering an opportunity to dig through your calendar and emails to show your work. Directly and concisely match your work (mouse chasing cheese moments and others :)) to finished product and the excellent performance reviews.

    Be sure to frame the discussion the correct way - what is the real issue? Trust? Security? Your job? "We are in a tough spot here because this report is not demonstrating what I just outlined between my work functions and my successes accomplishing tasks and excelling." "I think we need to understand how this report connects and effects our respective positions and ensure that our work and accomplishments are viewed and measured fairly".

    I personally do not like the "keystroke" tracking software or "mouse movement" tracking software or "butt in seat" tracking. They are not true measurements of work and/or effort. The poster seems to be in a position with good relationship with manager and opportunity to get past this situation in a much better place professionally. I'd take the meeting with the manager, outline steps, and work on a mutually beneficial plan.

44. AnonymousMay 11,2022 at 3:44PM UTC

    I thoroughly agree with the suggestion to ask about the real issue. Figuring out a mutually beneficial plan is a great approach!

    And it’s also BS that your mouse movement is more important than your contributions and actual impact. It’s an archaic way of managing people and you’ll serve yourself best by simultaneously beginning the process of finding a new position while you are working out the is issue with your current manager.

45. Bernadette M MartinezMay 11,2022 at 4:33PM UTC

    That is 100% completely insane. I detest any type of micromanaging and that is above and beyond absurd.

    I would have a conversation with your manager about what the actual issue is, citing your reviews and accomplishments alongside the work you've done that (presumably) hasn't been questioned. Is there something that has been an actual issue?

    I would make it very clear that this is an unacceptable practice and expecting high performing employees to justify ever time they aren't moving a computer mouse is totally unacceptable.

    Are you supposed to keep it moving while reading one of the million emails that come in?

    Do you have to document every restroom break?

    What about meetings?

    If they have the technology to track freaking MOUSE MOVEMENTS they can sync it with calendars and apply common sense.

    If this is the direction that company is going, I'd suggest updating your resume and get ready to move. If that's where they start it's only going to get worse.

46. Michele LaCagninaMay 11,2022 at 7:22PM UTC

    Exactly. It reminds me of being a teenager working in coffee shops, when every action was scrutinized by an adult that seemed to have no life outside work .

47. Joanne RosenMay 11,2022 at 4:50PM UTC

    I wouldn't work for a company that tracked my keystrokes. So ridiculous.

    Time to move on!

48. AnonymousMay 11,2022 at 4:53PM UTC

    This sounds like something right out of "Severance". Beware when they start asking you to do types of "exercises" that are designed to incriminate you.

49. Vivian HwaMay 11,2022 at 5:12PM UTC

    "Oh that's interesting! You know this kind of tracking and monitoring was invented, perfected and used on slaves to manage productivity. True Story! So great to see that it's still in action and a preferred management tool here!"

50. AnonymousMay 11,2022 at 7:04PM UTC

    Some employers with production-based contracts have to produce so much in an hour/day in order to stay compliant with the SLA of their agreements. Sometimes they are paid by the keystroke. It's hard to have an opinion without knowing if this was the prescribed means to measure activity for company production yields. If you sign up for a WFH job that's production-based, there are many ways they can measure productivity. It doesn't mean any of them are friendly, but they're going to do what they're going to do.

51. Karen GongawareMay 11,2022 at 9:39PM UTC

    What a croc of crap. Who gives a crap over a mouse moving! Is your work done? Yes. Are your reviews great? Yes. Did you get a raise? Yes. Efficient people don't have a mouse jiggling all the time. Sounds like someone has dusted off the old moving mouse equals great productivity BS again. Yep, don't bother to justify, your work history with praise and raise speaks for itself. Dust off the resume as who wants to work for an out of touch with reality place.

52. MollyMay 11,2022 at 10:03PM UTC

    This style of people management is why Amazon is now full of mouse mover and mouse jiggler tools! I thought the first ad I saw for one was a joke, but clearly some companies are committed to their archaic approaches management.

53. AnonymousMay 11,2022 at 10:31PM UTC

    Not that I would do it mind you, but a work around to that is take an analog watch and set it under the mouse. It shows activity but not in use. I would dust off my resume.

54. Myra DykesMay 12,2022 at 12:54AM UTC

    What??!!! Talk about micro-managing! We’d never do that to our people. Am I out of touch and missed this way of tracking productivity? I’d for sure dust off the resume.

55. Charmaine WebbMay 12,2022 at 1:29AM UTC

    I work at a very busy Help Desk taking call after call and I do not move my mouse at times. Moving your mouse proves nothing. Too bad your manager seems to be more interested in how often your mouse is moving than the job you are doing.

56. M BaazaMay 12,2022 at 1:38AM UTC

    Hmmm what if you're working on your computer through RDP? And use keyboard shortcuts cause they're faster?

57. AnonymousMay 12,2022 at 12:44PM UTC

    Wow! This just reminded me of tracking that my employer tried 5-10 years ago! It was primarily for the employees that were doing data entry. That wasn’t really where the productivity was slowing/lacking. it was a culmination of things. The experiment didn’t last very long. I think a large part of the issue could have been the the fact we were using outdated (think Windows XP & NT) software/hardware. We just upgraded to WIN 7 & 10 about three years ago.

58. AnonymousMay 12,2022 at 12:48PM UTC

    I had to come back to this post because the more I thought about it, the more angry I got! Does your mouse move while you are reading an email or reviewing research. I think of ALL the times my mouse is idle because I am a SLOW reader and I am an editor looking closely at the content construct. No matter what your role demands your company should not be monitoring something so simple as this - it makes me think of the crack downs we are seeing all around us limiting or monitoring personal liberties. UGH. Dust off the resume and RUN to a company that truly values their people and the contributions they bring to the table, not how much time they spend pushing their mouse around on a desk!

59. AnonymousMay 12,2022 at 1:31PM UTC

    That's a bullshit company and you deserve better. It's way beyond your manager "sideswiping" you.

60. StellaMay 12,2022 at 1:33PM UTC

    This is insane and insulting. There are a lot of jobs out there and many remote. Get your resume out there post haste!

61. AnonymousMay 12,2022 at 1:34PM UTC

    This is the point where, if you do not already, you should start documenting. Buy a notebook and start writing down how much time you spent on a task and write-out what that tasked involved.

    Also, find research from reputable organizations relating to the mouse movement phenomenon. I bet that there is academic research out there on this issue. I would steer-clear of the research indicating whether this type of tracking is an effective management technique and focus on the action specifically. You can choose whether to share with your boss, but this is good CYA to have in case the issue escalates.

    Also, since you have a good relationship with your manager, you may want to simply ask whether you need to address this report. It is possible that the report is being provided as a data point and no one really expects you to address it.

62. Cindy LaceyMay 12,2022 at 1:47PM UTC

    I don't really understand the point of this. Mouse movement is hardly a useful measure unless your job is entirely mouse driven. Do you do a lot of typing? A job with a lot of spreadsheet work also won't show a lot of mouse movement. I would agree with the person who said to talk with your manager. These corporations are going nuts with these metrics.

63. AnonymousMay 12,2022 at 1:59PM UTC

    Good lord. What a dumb way to track someone's productivity. What if you're reading... or in a meeting... or decide to write something down. This is absurd. Maybe the question you should be asking is if you want to work somewhere that doesn't trust their employees.

64. Lesa Edwards, Career Coach & Master Resume WriterMay 12,2022 at 3:15PM UTC

    First, let me say this: I'm usually the LAST person to recommend jumping ship, because I think far too many people do this as a knee-jerk reaction.

    BUT this mouse-measuring BS is beyond...get out as soon as you can.

65. Chan TumMay 12,2022 at 3:30PM UTC

    I will say that mouse-moving measure is very concerning. I am remote as well and my current company recommends I take mental breaks, stretch and have health breaks to ensure I take care of myself first in the new "working environment." Based on your comment, it seems you are completing all of your tasks assigned at a high level and executing in your role. Your manager is probably getting this request from high ups as well but the conversation should be focused on your performance with actionable items rather than your mouse or keyboard constantly moving. Hoping your company realizes that and best of luck moving forward.

66. Arianna RobinsonMay 12,2022 at 4:31PM UTC

    This is absolutely a silly, silly metric, and I agree with all the posts below.

    One small note if you don't want to quit your job, you can buy a mouse that moves automatically at a cadence you choose. So, yeah, there's that option.

    Good luck with whatever you choose.

67. Melissa MonsonMay 12,2022 at 6:06PM UTC

    ??

68. AnonymousMay 12,2022 at 6:40PM UTC

    Not OP but I definitely agree that tracking mouse movements is a stupid metric to track successes and progress on work. It shows a blatant lack of trust even though this person has had quality reviews and quality output according to those reviews.

    It is sad that we had to invent mouse's that move themselves in order to keep jobs we do enjoy because of tracking like this.

69. Audrey KirschMay 12,2022 at 10:58PM UTC

    While I think this is a silly way to track productivity, if I ever saw a report like you did and was asked to account for my time, they would be very sorry. Sorry to have questioned me in first place because I would list everything that I do in a typical day that most humans wouldn't be able to accomplish. Be confident in what you do and dazzle them by listing every dang thing you can think of including when you work outside of normal hours. Often no one really knows all that us remote workers do. Someone has asked, so tell them.

70. Angela MasonMay 12,2022 at 11:45PM UTC

    Although you may not be concerned about others, are you the only one to receive such report?

71. AnonymousMay 13,2022 at 12:00PM UTC

    To me, this is a sign of insecure leadership with very little trust in their employees. If you are getting great reviews, and have had no conversations/indications of a performance issue, I would push back. Personally, I'd start looking for another job, as this is an indicator of some deeper-rooted issues in your company's culture that I would not want to continue to be a part of.

72. Martha Farley BerningerMay 13,2022 at 1:52PM UTC

    This kind of micro monitoring is becoming very common. Decide if you can move forward productively in this environment, and if so, make a point of doing what is needed to meet the metrics. If not, start looking seriously. Check for company policy on this monitoring and make sure you know what to expect.

73. AnonymousMay 13,2022 at 7:46PM UTC

    What a ridiculous waste of time to dig into your workflow at that level. Are you delivering and meeting goals? That is what matters. I would dust off my resume in that situation. It is demeaning.

74. Liz MilneMay 14,2022 at 3:20AM UTC

    Work productivity is not measured by mouse movements or screen time: it's in value brought to the company! I hate the way the pandemic has highlighted the complete lack of trust between management and the workforce, which will only exacerbate the problem: if people treat you like a slacker, you're far more likely to slacken off your work in the end... Depressing.

    I hope you're able to resolve the situation :(

75. Chrissy Regan SmytheMay 14,2022 at 12:20PM UTC

    I had a former boss ask me to write down everything i do in a day for two weeks. I had been working crazy hours, some weeks up to 80 hours to get his company going. I suggested i take two weeks off so he could see what i get done. He looked at me with his mouth wide open, like, wait, what?! I just smiled and started packing up my desk. He said, never mind. I don’t need you to write everything down, yeah, that’s what i thought… LOL

76. So BusyMay 14,2022 at 12:50PM UTC

    I love your spunk! And it is excellent advice. If my boss dares to question my value, I will be using this!!

    you go girl!