office outlook

[kenrehill]

Hi

a few years ago, I needed to find out what work an employee had done and how much time they had spent on each task (and how much time spent on the internet). Someone in the office used outlook on that laptop and it gave a print out of all documents worked on, how long, how much time on the internet, which internet sites etc.

I can't remember how it was done, so can anyone help me? I remember thinking at the time "wow, that's real easy", but I'm lost now.

So can anyone help please?

[AlanHo]

Hi

a few years ago, I needed to find out what work an employee had done and how much time they had spent on each task (and how much time spent on the internet). Someone in the office used outlook on that laptop and it gave a print out of all documents worked on, how long, how much time on the internet, which internet sites etc.

I can't remember how it was done, so can anyone help me? I remember thinking at the time "wow, that's real easy", but I'm lost now.

So can anyone help please?

My own view is that Outlook cannot be used for such a purpose - you need a detailed activity and data logging programme. However, I do not consider that this forum should publish the means of spying on another persons computer - this information could then be used for nefarious purposes by others - no matter how honourable your own motives are.

[Digerati]

While certainly bosses have a Right to know what their employees are doing on company time, there's no way of knowing if you really are the boss, or doing his bidding, or just someone trying to spy on (stalk?) another person. You need to hire a consultant, and it would be wise to have a lawyer review the process to ensure Civil Rights are not violated too.

Also, as an avid Outlook user since it first appeared in Office 97, I can tell you that Outlook was not used for the purpose you suggested. It is just an email program and PIM (personal information manager). The program used may have formatted the report and sent it via Outlook, but Outlook does not have any monitoring capabilities as you describe.

[-pops-]

As has been stated, potentially unlawful procedures cannot be discussed on this Forum.

Your reasons for wanting to do this may be quite honourable - similarly, they may not, we have no way of knowing.

I have never heard of Outlook being used for this and cannot see how it would be able to do so.

My son owns and runs a graphic arts business. His attitude is to allow staff to access the Internet for personal use at some parts of the day when it does not interfere with their work. Other times it is strictly work only and this requirement is built into their contract of employment. He also has requirements of what may not be accessed - this includes porn, gambling and such like.

[kenrehill]

I was looking more for help than a telling off about human rights guys. I own the business and I own the laptop, I'm not interested in what the employee does with it after work, but I have seen a recent downturn in productivity and am concerned that whilst I'm regularly out of the country, the work just isn't getting done. Surely as the boss I have rights as well?

[AlanHo]

I was looking more for help than a telling off about human rights guys. I own the business and I own the laptop, I'm not interested in what the employee does with it after work, but I have seen a recent downturn in productivity and am concerned that whilst I'm regularly out of the country, the work just isn't getting done. Surely as the boss I have rights as well?

Of course you have rights as the boss, no-one here has said otherwise.

What we have said is that it is not possible in an open forum for us to help people to spy on others. Your use may well be legitimate - but other readers could use the information for nefarious purposes. Use a local computer consultant and make sure you cover yourself against any legal challenge in the future when your employees become aware they are being monitored.

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

What you can do with Outlook is ask your employees to fill the Outlook calendar with their activities. This is of course not an automatic process, and it is not really the best way of reporting work activities.