Monitoring Setup¶
Employee Mode allows managers to monitor how employees use their computers during work hours. This guide walks you through the initial setup for employee monitoring.
Before You Begin¶
Legal Compliance
Before implementing employee monitoring, ensure you comply with local laws and regulations regarding workplace surveillance. Many jurisdictions require informing employees that their computer activity is being monitored. Consult your legal team before deploying.
Initial Configuration¶
Step 1: Enable Employee Mode¶
If you did not select Employee Mode during the Setup Wizard:
- Open Focus settings with the admin password
- Go to Settings > Mode
- Select Employee Mode
- Click Apply
Step 2: Configure Monitoring Options¶
Navigate to Employee > Monitoring Settings and enable the features you want:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| App tracking | Record which applications are used and for how long |
| Website monitoring | Log websites visited in all browsers |
| Screenshot capture | Automatically capture screen images at set intervals |
| Active/idle tracking | Detect when the employee is actively using the computer vs. idle |
| Login/logout times | Record when the computer session starts and ends |
Step 3: Set Monitoring Schedule¶
Define when monitoring is active:
- Work hours only -- Monitor during business hours (e.g., 9 AM - 5 PM, Monday to Friday)
- Always active -- Monitor whenever the computer is on
- Custom schedule -- Set specific hours for different days
Step 4: Create User Profiles¶
Set up profiles for each employee. See User Profiles for detailed instructions.
Stealth Operation¶
Focus can run in stealth mode where the employee is not aware of the monitoring software. The application:
- Does not appear in the system tray
- Does not show notifications
- Runs as a background service
Transparency
While stealth mode is available, many organizations choose to inform employees about monitoring as a matter of policy and legal compliance. Consider displaying a notice when the employee logs in.
What Data Is Collected¶
All monitoring data is stored locally on the computer. You can configure Focus to send automated email reports to managers. See Email Reports for setup instructions.