Personal Tracking Options

Vehicle tracking is one way to keep tabs on employees.  We have discussed vehicle tracking systems in a number of articles, as well as talked about the different tracking devices.  In order to help you choose the right system for you we have a few things to consider regarding personal tracking devices.

A personal tracking device will keep tabs on the employee when they are in and out of a vehicle.  You may find your business can benefit more from the personal tracking option than vehicle tracking.  However, there are pros and cons of the system.

PROS:

• Personal tracking devices are small.  They can be part of a badge, mobile phone, or other item the employee has to carry for work.
• You will know when your employee has arrived at the job.
• You will know when they left.
• The device can have a panic button option in case of emergencies either in the home of the client, on the way to the client, or in any situation.
• You can determine if the employee is following the rules properly.  In other words is your employee charging you for time not worked?  Are your employees taking a longer route to work to charge you more?  All of these questions you might have on the trustworthiness of your employees can be answered.
• If your employee works at an airport or large facility it can be easier to track them when they are not at their desk. 
• Basically a personal tracking system allows you to track the employee whether they have to leave your facility or not.  You will gain more control of the employees, increase productivity, and lower operational costs.

CONS:

• Your employees will not approve of the personal tracking.  Your employees feel they should have some privacy.  They do not want to be monitored for every step they take, especially when it tracks bathroom visits, personal errands, etc. because the tracking system is always with them. 
• There is an expense to placing the system in your company.  The number of employees that you will track can make the system cost more. 
• Your employee may lose their tracking device.  You will then have to reissue it. 
• You are not tracking the vehicle at all times.

Vehicle tracking devices stay in the car.  If a fleet vehicle is stolen you know it.  Certainly you have more information about your employee and they will have more security if something goes wrong with a personal device.  The downside is your vehicle could be stolen in front of a client house and it could take an hour or more to report it.  In fact the employee may not know about it until they finish their work and go out to an empty curb.  In a perfect world tracking both vehicles and personnel is the best option.  However, if the security of the vehicle and employee privacy is more important to you, vehicle tracking is the better option.