HR Glossary

Real-Time Tracking

Table of contents:


What is Real-Time Tracking?

Real-time tracking is the process of continuously monitoring and updating information as events happen, allowing organisations to follow changes in status, behaviour, or patterns as they develop, rather than reviewing them retrospectively.

In a workplace health and absence management context, real-time tracking helps employers monitor absence, wellbeing, and risk indicators as they evolve, enabling timely and appropriate intervention.

Examples of Real-Time Tracking in the Workplace

Real-time tracking may include:

  • Tracking sickness absence from the point it is reported through to return to work

  • Monitoring repeated short-term absences as they occur

  • Following an employee’s absence journey across multiple episodes

  • Tracking live absence levels across teams or departments

  • Monitoring wellbeing or health-related trends over time

Rather than viewing isolated data points, real-time tracking provides a continuous picture of what is happening across the organisation.

 

Why Real-Time Data Matters for Employers

Without real-time tracking, absence and wellbeing issues are often reviewed too late, once problems have already escalated. Real-time tracking allows organisations to move from reactive management to a more proactive approach.

Key benefits include:

  • Earlier identification of absence patterns and risks

  • Reduced likelihood of unmanaged presenteeism

  • More consistent and timely manager intervention

  • Better support for employee wellbeing

  • Improved workforce planning and operational resilience

How Real-Time Tracking Works Within GoodShape

GoodShape uses real-time tracking to help organisations monitor and manage employee absence and health-related issues as they unfold, rather than after the fact.

This includes:

End-to-end absence tracking
Absence is tracked from first notification through recovery, return-to-work conversations, and any follow-up actions.
Live monitoring of patterns and triggers
Managers can see repeated absences or emerging trends in real time, helping them identify issues early.
Proactive support and signposting
Real-time tracking enables faster access to relevant health services or occupational health support when issues arise.

Clear visibility for managers and HR
Dashboards provide an up-to-date view of absence and wellbeing across individuals, teams, and the wider organisation.

Reducing long-term absence risk
By tracking issues as they develop, organisations can intervene earlier and reduce the likelihood of prolonged absence or burnout.

 

Real-time tracking focuses on the ongoing monitoring of absence and wellbeing, while real-time data focuses on immediate information availability. Used together, they give organisations a clearer, more proactive view of employee health, an approach that sits at the heart of GoodShape's ethos.

 

Related terms...

Short-term Absence

Sick Leave

Absence Policy