Q:

"Sitting on one's head and make them work" - English counterpart?

Imagine a person who has agreed to do you a favor but he won't do it unless you are physically present in front of him/her. You couldn't expect him to do your work if you tell them once and leave them so they do it when they get time. In my mother-tongue, it's called 'sitting on one's head and make them work'(translated). I was wondering if there's one in English too.
EDIT: I realize sitting on one's head might get misconstrued as to be equal to someone's who is in-charge but actually the people are at same position of responsibility and the person (who agreed to do the favor) knows exactly what to do and how to do the said thing.
EDIT 2: The person who has agreed to do the favor is probably reluctant to do it or just forgets it or simply lacks the sense of urgency, thereby needs to be accompanied by the person asking the favor, so doesn't forget about it and do it instantly before anything else.

A:

Breathing down one's neck can qualify perhaps.

breathe down (someone's) neck:

To threaten by proximity, especially
by pursuing closely.

To watch or monitor closely, often annoyingly:
The boss was breathing down my neck all morning.

Example: If everyone keeps breathing down my neck, how can I get my work done?

