Employee Monitoring Glossary
Activity Levels
A metric that measures the ratio of active computer use to total session time — a broad productivity signal for remote team management.
Definition
Employee activity levels measure the ratio of active computer use (keyboard or mouse input) to total logged-in session time, expressed as a percentage. An activity level of 70% means the employee was actively using their device for 70% of their scheduled work session.
It is calculated as: Active Input Seconds ÷ Total Session Seconds × 100
What It Measures (and What It Doesn't)
Activity levels measure: active computer use — any period with detectable keyboard or mouse activity.
Activity levels do not measure: the quality or value of the work done, thinking time, phone calls, meetings, or any work not done on a computer. A surgeon or lawyer doing their highest-value work may have a low activity score during deep concentration or client communication. Use activity levels as a relative trend indicator, not an absolute output quality metric.
Typical Activity Level Ranges
| Range | Typical Meaning |
|---|---|
| 85-100% | Very high active use — may indicate data entry or customer service role |
| 60-84% | Normal for most knowledge workers — healthy balance of active and thinking time |
| 40-59% | Below average — worth a check-in if sustained; may indicate role mismatch |
| <40% | Low activity — investigate; may reflect heavy meeting schedule, phone-based role, or disengagement |