How to stop my employees from playing games during work?

[ndee]

Counterstrike runs fine on my P733 with software rendering @640x480 so swapping out the video card isn't that useful. Just take out the soundcard.

 

[etalns]

Great, thanks for the advice all They all begin on July 15th, so I'll have a meeting then and explain to them what's acceptable and what's not.

Gunfighter, if you could possily PM me or AIM me about how I could setup something like that, I'd be very appreciative.

 

[gunf1ghter]

Kranky has a good point... on the other hand, where I am, we have to have different classes of users.. the regular techs aren't allowed to install anything on their PC's (they are not admins of their own boxes) but the engineers regularly need to load stuff to do their jobs... so they have admin rights.

 

[Jzero]

You need to have a written policy clearly defining the expectations with respect to gaming, net surfing, etc. Enforce it. If you catch someone, give them a verbal warning. If you catch them again, give them a written warning. If you catch them a 3rd time, give them the can.
The policy, however, should simply state that you could be axed for playing games. If people know they have a 3-strikes rule, they will likely take advantage of at least one of the strikes.

Finally, a slacker is a slacker. If you forcibly block them from doing one thing, they'll waste time another way. If it's not gaming, it's chat. If it's not chat, it's solitaire. If it's not solitaire, it's frequent coffee breaks, and if it's not coffee breaks, it's bathroom breaks.

A good worker will get his stuff done. A bad worker will not. Workplace distractions should be viewed as a management problem, not an IT problem.

 

[SinnerWolf]

No CD-ROM drives. Assuming they are networked, only allow certain comps to have burners and such (managers lead tech, etc..) to install software remotely, or with external drives. Granted, they can still download software, and if you have high speed access, they can set up an image from home and download it at work.

No install permissions. Of course, any half way decent tech/hacker can get around local permissions. Not to mention they might just dual boot or get another hard drive.

Setup a camera/webcam.

Have a gaming competition every friday where the winner gets a bonus ($, dinner, Ti200). That way they get their fix.

 

[spanky]

what kinda games do u think they'll be playing? like quake3 or CS? or u mean like yahoo games? like viper said... u could block the sites that host games. or like gopunk said, locate them in high traffic areas. or maybe u could give them 3gb hd's so they can't install any fps games or pull the gf3's and plug in a matrox g400.

 

[gunf1ghter]

Qosis... my company has not deployed anything like that, yet... however, I have been reading more and more informative technical articles in IT magazines about software that does that. I'm sure if you look around you will see some of the ones that do it.

 

[FoBoT]

try proper HUMAN supervision

trying to use a technology solution to prevent slackardness is a mistake

 

[CPA]

Our company uses an Asset Management system that checks the hardware AND software on each computer, about once a week. It doesn't actually block anything, it just logs what is on each computer. They can then use that information to discipline workers with unauthorized programs or equipment installed.

 

[rudder]

Send me all the geforce3's and I will send you replacement 4 meg video cards. They have good 2d and will prevent people from playing games!

You could configure the PC's so the user cannot load software. Block gaming sites. Send me the geforce 3's. Position the screens so everyone can see what everyone else is doing. There is a lot you can do. There is software that can take snapshots of the users screen. I can't quite remember what the name of the software is though.

As a manager you can just benchmark the workers. Just keep a close eye on them for a month and develop a baseline as to how much work gets done. Then as you monitor the workers less, monitor the workers results to see how they compare. Kind of like developing daily call response quotas. If no calls are answered when you are not watching, its safe to say they are probably goofing off. (I am not a manager but I did stay at a holiday inn express last night).

 

[etalns]

I like that CPA

try proper HUMAN supervision

trying to use a technology solution to prevent slackardness is a mistake

There is an object known as overhead, my company offers 24 x 7 tech support. Which means I'd most likely have to hire 4 different supervisors to fill all 24 hours a day 7 days a week. That's about $45k for each supervisor x 4 = $180k in overhead above what the company currnetly has. Something we can't currently handle.

 

[FoBoT]

then expect the hired help to play some games, there are ways around ALL of the suggestions in this thread and if you tell them to go read AT(OT) somebody will help them get around your technology solutions

good luck!

 

[etalns]

Earlier siad I'd reccomend they browse ATOT, meant to say AT. OT would be blocked off, as it would have no beneficial value to their tech support skills.

 

[InfectedMushroom]

you can load some remote control application like Timbuktu. This will allow to also just observe what is going on on their desktops, not just control them. if they shut it down, you know what's going on.

 

[spanky]

That's about $45k for each supervisor x 4 = $180k in overhead above what the company currnetly has. Something we can't currently handle.

i'll work 24/7 as supervisor for $150k... how's that? hehe... i promise not to play scrabble on company time

 

[Thegonagle]

Set the rule and let them know that you disapprove of computer games on company time. Let them all know that you expect the phone to be answer on the first ring, because that is what your customers expect. For that kind of money, you should be able to find people who will respect the workplace you provide. An environment of trust is better than one of paranoia.

Personally, I?d be more worried about them stealing staplers, but what kind of software can prevent that?

 

[etalns]

They dont got staplers just computers and a chair.

If they're ever caught playing games, I'll stick some nails under their chair so when they sit down

That oughta teach em a lesson .

 

[poopaskoopa]

1. Proxy server, like someone said.
2. you can set up a call-tracking system(costs money tho) and we know who gets the most calls, how long it takes them to solve each call, how long the phone rings, for how long each agent is available, how many calls are missed(and who were on at the time)etc. Although it doesn't directly stop gaming, make it clear to your staff that you have specific goals and there're metrics to measure their performance(i.e. raise).
3. Lock the station down.

 

[etalns]

Well, at the end of every week we take a look at who's answered the most calls and they get one day off the next week paid. So we hope that's a measure that will make them work a little harder, for call tracking we have that all setup. Although we wont be checking time, as differnet problems require more/less time.

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: Qosis
Well, at the end of every week we take a look at who's answered the most calls and they get one day off the next week paid. So we hope that's a measure that will make them work a little harder, for call tracking we have that all setup. Although we wont be checking time, as differnet problems require more/less time.

BAD idea.

I work in a call center, this will result in people blowing off customers, OOPS, I disconnected them, let me call them back & make it count for two, that kind of crap.

Better metric goals are things like:

- % first call resolution
- % work time

Things like that.

But don't give a day off as a reward, that will only breed resentment & tend towards shoddy teching.

Viper GTS

 

[kranky]

Careful with just going by the number of calls answered. I know some of the members here have done help-desk duty, and could point out exactly how that could be abused at the expense of customer satisfaction.

[edit] Well, there's Viper GTS with proof! [/edit]

Help Desk Guy: Hello, Help Center, how can I help you today?
Customer: I'm having trouble with...
HDG: Please reformat your hard disk and reinstall everything. Thank you for calling.
Customer: But wait, I...
HDG: Next!

 

[etalns]

Hmm, that's a good point. Anyone got any other ideas on how I could reward hard working employees?

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: Qosis
Hmm, that's a good point. Anyone got any other ideas on how I could reward hard working employees?

They get to keep their jobs?

Seriously, just give annual performance reviews with a graduated pay increase (2% if you're a tard, 4% if you're OK, 7% if we like having you here & want to see you stay).

Don't micro-manage them, either. That is a reward in and of itself. I come to work, I do my job, & I do it well. In return I expect a paycheck & to be left the f*** alone. Micromanagement just pisses people off, & will reduce their work quality. If they prove themselves capable of doing a job without your constant attention, LET THEM! Pay them well, allow things you otherwise wouldn't (games, etc). If they don't perform well in that environment, fire their dumb asses.

My best work as a tech was done under circumstances like that. I was part of a LAN group for Qwest DSL. We were pretty much a separate entity from the regular DSL/ISP. We were very much self sufficient, we trained ourselves, created our own knowledge base, relied on each other for help, set our own break/lunch times, etc. IMHO, we kicked ass. Then the powers that be decided that we shouldn't be a separate entity. They started micromanaging us. They started bitching about research time, they started forcing a schedule on us, they took away our ability to self manage. Things went downhill quickly, I bailed soon after.

People that belong in that type of job will excel when left to their own devices.

Viper GTS

 

[poopaskoopa]

You can also make it known that the management can listen in on each tech's call(not that you would want to, but...). This could keep the techs honest, and at the same time get a feel for how he/she handles the callers. You can also set up a system/web page for customer feedback. Personally, I'd go for a relaxed environment where people get their stuff done professionally and effectively, and play/do whatever in between calls, but if your guys need supervisions like they're kids, then you might as well implement a system to handle them as such... I don't know where you're located, but $19/hr should get you functional tech support agents though... But that depends on the level of expertise, I suppose.

 

[etalns]

Thanks Viper

Well, I'll start like Viper said, see how it's going, if not I'll start working 18 hour days when the comapny starts so I can watch over their shoulders like a babysitter.