Monday, December 30, 2013

Is GPS Fleet Tracking Really Such A Bad Thing

By Jonathan Eldrig


Spying isn't a new concept. Countries are monitoring what other countries are doing and monitoring what we are doing. We are being watched on cameras and our emails and phone records are being recorded. Its not new and most people are aware that this type of thing has been happening for a long time now. If we all know this and understand our privacy is withering away, then why are employees so upset when they hear their company is going to start tracking their whereabouts with GPS fleet tracking. We are always surprised at the reaction of employees when the topic of GPS tracking is discussed.

We own and operate a GPS fleet tracking software and many owners are concerned about the potential backlash they will receive from employees when rolling it out. Understandably employees are a little threatened when they explain to them that they will be tracked during their work days. We work alongside these companies to help educate employees and explain the benefits of this technology while assuaging their concerns. Despite the fact that we experience every day we often wonder why there is always such a knee jerk reaction to GPS fleet tracking.

Many of the companies using GPS fleet tracking are small businesses with half a dozen crews in the field. They are service companies or driving services who are often re-routing different teams. Our GPS phone tracker gives them the ability to know where their people are in real time gives them the ability to save time and improve efficiency sending the closest team to the next available job. In addition to routing the appropriate crew, the office knows where each team is at any moment during the work day.

When we speak with employees, they feel it's an invasion of their privacy. While they may not have been accountable for their exact location in the past, there really isn't anything to hide. Office workers are essentially transmitting their location throughout the day as they sit in the company office. Bringing this transparency to the field with GPS fleet tracking is an additional level of transparency for people that work outside of the office. Tracking during work hours is not an unfair request as long as it's not encroaching on your personal time. We always recommend tracking be used solely during working hours so as to not invade employees privacy.

We understand the initial concern employees have with the idea of GPS fleet tracking. There really isn't anything to be afraid of. Employers understand you have to stop to go to the restroom and that you need to eat lunch. It's not these tiny inconsequential detours employers are interested in. Providing real time location of field teams allows customers or clients to get better estimates of delivery or service times. This transparency lets the office send the appropriate team to the appropriate job instead of driving across town. The benefits outweigh the concerns that really shouldn't be concerns at all.




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