Jami, you can watch them start a task and count the seconds that they remain on the task. Write that down and either see what they do next, or move to the next person. Continue for each activity and person.

I personally have never had a problem with my people working. Just like when you are first training villagers, a few aborted attempts are normal. When I have a new peep, I put him/her down to work and IMMEDIATELY praise them twice. I watch to make sure they work. If they walk off, I'll drag them back and praise them twice again. In short order, they are willingly working on their own, with no problems.

They do wander off to do other things occasionally, but who doesn't? They *always* go back to work. This morning my 57 year old was a Master in his field, so was his wife, and I had 10k in my family bank.