In a work from home and hybrid around the world, many workers are looking for ways to cut corners and make it look like they're on their computers even when they're not actually paying attention to the work at hand.
That was the case for more than a dozen Wells Fargo wealth management and investment workers who were caught and then fired last month for faking keystrokes on their computers to make it look like they were working when they weren't.
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“Wells Fargo holds employees to the highest standards and does not tolerate unethical behavior,” Wells Fargo said. Bloomberg in a statement.
For the conclusion disclosures presented with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the reason given for the employees' departure was that they were “fired after reviewing allegations that involved simulating keyboard activity while giving the impression of active work.”
It was not specified how they faked the keystrokes or if employees did so while in the office.
Some remote workers use devices called “mouse bullies” to simulate movement on a computer keyboard, showing employers and managers that they are using their device even if they are away from it at the time.
Wells Fargo currently operates under a hybrid model in which most employees are expected to be in the office at least three times a week, although workers at various levels (such as management) are expected to be in four or more days.
The bank's policy is relatively weaker than others in the industry, such as Goldman Sachswhich mandated a five-day-a-week return to the office for employees late last summer.