![\"How](\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/How-to-Implement-a-Time-Tracking-System-Without-Invading-Employee-Privacy-cover.jpg\"){kind=tracking}
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n#1: Familiarize yourself with employee monitoring laws<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Generally speaking, time tracking is legal and required by law in some states. However, many time tracking software<\/strong> solutions<\/strong> come with advanced monitoring features<\/strong>. And that\u2019s where it gets a bit murky. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986<\/a> doesn\u2019t allow the interception of electronic communications \u2014 but with defined exceptions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To get a clearer picture, let\u2019s look at state privacy laws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n California employers have the legal right to monitor company-owned devices<\/a>, and this is generally the case in other states. However, it\u2019s a different story when it comes to informing employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Only the following US states mandate that employers notify their staff<\/strong> about tracking their work activity:<\/p>\n\n\n\n To avoid legal issues and breaking employee trust, make sure you comply with all the time tracking and monitoring laws in your state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udca1 CLOCKIFY PRO TIP<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re managing an international team, you\u2019ll also need to get acquainted with time tracking around the globe. This article is a good starting point:<\/p>\n\n\n\n An ExpressVPN survey<\/a> revealed that 59% of employees feel anxious and\/or stressed about their employer monitoring their online activity. Therefore, you can assume that at least some of your employees might feel reserved about a time tracking system with monitoring features.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, we\u2019ve already explained that whether you need to disclose to the employees that their work is being monitored depends on the location. Still, it\u2019s always best to explain why you need to implement a time tracking system<\/a> and what you\u2019re tracking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One example of an employee-friendly time tracking tool is Clockify by CAKE.com<\/a> \u2014 it notifies users when monitoring features are enabled. For instance, if you enable screen capture, your employees will receive a notification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Plus, all screenshots in\u00a0Clockify<\/a>\u00a0are blurred and low-resolution<\/span> by default. If you leave the default settings, your workforce can rest assured that no sensitive information reaches the wrong person.<\/p>\n\n\n Another feature you can enable or disable is GPS tracking<\/a>, depending on your business needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, if your employees always work from home rather than in the field, you probably won\u2019t need this option. In fact, enabling this feature for no valid reason may make employees feel like you don\u2019t trust them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Track time privately in Clockify<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Being transparent with your team helps relieve their anxiety about being monitored. That way, you build trust and get accurate time tracking data while respecting employee privacy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n NOTE:<\/strong>\u00a0Clockify’s Auto tracker doesn’t allow admins to see what a user has tracked via the Auto tracker. Only the time entries the user chooses to save to the workspace are visible to the admins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s say you did everything to ensure you tracked only what was necessary for business purposes and did so only during work hours. Employee privacy may still be at risk if you don\u2019t keep the\u00a0tracked data<\/strong><\/span> secure<\/strong> or if an unauthorized person gains access to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead, use a trusted and secure time tracking app that lets you control who can see certain data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Clockify by CAKE.com keeps employees\u2019 tracked hours private by limiting who this data is visible to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For instance, you can hide the view of tracked hours from regular users, permitting them to see their own time only. That way, each employee will be sure that no one else can see their data, except for you as their manager.<\/p>\n\n\n Therefore, the key to keeping employee data secure is to avoid sharing data without a valid reason.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n Time tracking software used by millions. Clockify by CAKE.com is a time tracker and timesheet app that lets you track work hours across projects.<\/p>\n\n \n
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#2: Inform employees about what you track<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Screenshots\"](\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Screenshots.png\")
#3: Keep the tracked data secure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Permissions\"](\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Permissions.png\")
![\"Illustration\"](\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/cake-blog\/theme\/images\/banners\/clockify\/templates@2x.png)
\n <\/picture>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n \n\n\n\n#4: Allow employees to choose options to track time<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Time](\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Time-tracking-options.jpg\"){kind=tracking}