Latvia’s Ministry of Economics Introduces Employee productivity tracking tool

The Ministry of Economics in Latvia has implemented a new employee tracking system aimed at enhancing productivity and optimizing resource allocation within the public sector. The announcement was made in a press release on January 8, as the ministry acknowledged the need for a more aggressive approach to address low productivity levels.

Minister of Economics Viktors Valainis (Greens and Farmers Union) highlighted the necessity for this change. “We’ve tried various methods, but they haven’t yielded the required results. This is a bold and challenging move, but without changing our approach to daily operations, we won’t achieve the desired outcomes,” Valainis stated.

The system’s primary purpose is to identify overlapping responsibilities among ministry staff and determine if resources can be reallocated to more critical tasks.

The software being utilized, developed in Latvia, was installed at the beginning of 2024. DeskTime, the application in question, is widely used internationally in various industries but is making its debut in Latvia’s public sector.

DeskTime tracks computer activity, recording the software used, websites visited, time spent on tasks, and even breaks taken by employees. According to Artis Rozentāls, CEO of DeskTime, the software provides detailed insights into workers’ productivity by monitoring document work time and pauses.

The Ministry of Economics, along with its subordinate institutions, has invested approximately €10,000 to deploy DeskTime for over 300 users. These include employees at the Central Statistical Bureau, the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia, the Latvian National Accreditation Bureau, and Public Asset Manager Possessor Ltd.

If successful, the ministry intends to extend the use of DeskTime to other public institutions. The initiative reflects the ministry’s commitment to addressing inefficiencies and ensuring that public sector resources are utilized effectively.

With this bold move, Latvia’s Ministry of Economics aims to set a precedent for modernizing workplace practices and improving productivity across the public sector.