Should Enterprise Software Add Time Limits?

We frequently write about enterprise mobility and how it’s enabling remote work. But we don’t spend much time on the implications of mobile technology on the personal lives of workers. Reading Ben Kepes’ recent essay on the subject, I had a thought: should enterprise software start tracking workers time and locking them out if they work too much?

Sponsor

37Signal‘s most recent book Rework devotes a section to “workholism.” In fact, that section is the first excerpt in the free PDF 37 Signals offers. Language issues aside, workaholism is a problem not just for workers, but for the companies that employ them.

Programs like Rescue Time help workers be more productive by tracking time, blocking distracting web sites or even preventing the launching of all applications besides the one a user needs to complete a specific task.

Could that work in reverse? Could a vendor monitor how much time employees spend using software, and then lock them out if they’ve spent too many hours working in the last week? Perhaps an employee could get some additional time in the system, but would need to get a manager to approve it and/or borrow the time from the future. Employees would eventually get their time off.

What if in order to call a co-worker at home or during off hours, two managers had to approve the call? It may reduce a company’s “agility” and make employees less “empowered” since they won’t be allowed to work 80 hour weeks or call each other on holidays. But it could also lead to a workforce that’s more focused, rested and motivated.

Is there any software on the market that does something like this already? What are the drawbacks? How else could technology be used to help workers balance life and work? Who would be exempted from time limits?

Photo by The Trial

Discuss