4 ms·

I'm a remote contractor. Usually, if my customer wants me to install some tracking software (recording you're present in front of PC, tracking mouse/keyboard ac

I'm a remote contractor. Usually, if my customer wants me to install some tracking software (recording you're present in front of PC, tracking mouse/keyboard activity, etc) I agree only on one term: they need to send me a machine with this software so I can use it while doing work. I lose customers this way, though most of the time people agree to not have this kind of software involved instead of rejecting offer altogether. If I worked in an office environment and company wanted me to use tracking software I'd see no problems with it. But it should be installed on a company provided phone. Which in the best case I'd leave at office off work, or in other cases - carry home and store it there.

Double_a_92 7y ago
> If I worked in an office environment and company wanted me to use tracking software I'd see no problems with it. * Lack of trust that is uncalled for, especially if you are in a position with responsability anyway. * Unappropriate tracking method for a creative work Are two points that I see.
flurdy 7y ago
Tracking software?! I often have remote contracts and have never been suggested to install any presence or keyboard activity trackers. Sounds horrible. You are a professional, not a teenager. I think that would be such a red flag for me of how everything else is at that client that I would never agree to the contract in the first place. Since most of my clients allow BYOD I sometimes get asked to ensure I have antivirus etc installed. Which is ok as long as they don't dictate which software. So far that has been fine for all clients. I have some clients that insist on a locked-down laptop to access some parts of their network, and they happily send me one that I use it for mostly email only. Having tracking software on it would be pointless as it would only show 5 minutes of email checking activity every 2-3 hours. Unless by tracking you mean webcam and slack status? That seems acceptable to me. And as I mostly encourage(insist) that my teams use webcams when they are remote pairing etc it would be hypocritical of me to say otherwise.
- bklyn11201 7y ago
  Upwork is a giant freelancer market. They pitch their tracking software as protection for both sides: proof of work. https://www.upwork.com/hiring/for-freelancers/using-the-upwork-team-app-for-payment-protection-and-collaboration/ https://www.upwork.com/hiring/for-freelancers/using-the-upwo...
  - xtracto 7y ago
    Doesn't CrossOver do that as well?
deleted 7y ago
[deleted]
sgt 7y ago
That's crazy. What kind of companies are these, or rather; what kind of country is this? North Korea?

Double_a_92 7y ago

> If I worked in an office environment and company wanted me to use tracking software I'd see no problems with it. * Lack of trust that is uncalled for, especially if you are in a position with responsability anyway. * Unappropriate tracking method for a creative work Are two points that I see.

flurdy 7y ago

Tracking software?! I often have remote contracts and have never been suggested to install any presence or keyboard activity trackers. Sounds horrible. You are a professional, not a teenager. I think that would be such a red flag for me of how everything else is at that client that I would never agree to the contract in the first place. Since most of my clients allow BYOD I sometimes get asked to ensure I have antivirus etc installed. Which is ok as long as they don't dictate which software. So far that has been fine for all clients. I have some clients that insist on a locked-down laptop to access some parts of their network, and they happily send me one that I use it for mostly email only. Having tracking software on it would be pointless as it would only show 5 minutes of email checking activity every 2-3 hours. Unless by tracking you mean webcam and slack status? That seems acceptable to me. And as I mostly encourage(insist) that my teams use webcams when they are remote pairing etc it would be hypocritical of me to say otherwise.

bklyn11201 7y ago
Upwork is a giant freelancer market. They pitch their tracking software as protection for both sides: proof of work. https://www.upwork.com/hiring/for-freelancers/using-the-upwork-team-app-for-payment-protection-and-collaboration/ https://www.upwork.com/hiring/for-freelancers/using-the-upwo...
- xtracto 7y ago
  Doesn't CrossOver do that as well?

deleted 7y ago

[deleted]

sgt 7y ago

That's crazy. What kind of companies are these, or rather; what kind of country is this? North Korea?