US-based Wells Fargo Fires A Dozen Employees For Alleged Fake Keyboard Activity

Several Wells Fargo employees have lost their jobs after being found using technology that made it appear they were actively working, as per disclosures filed with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. Last month, at least a dozen employees from the firm’s wealth and investment management team were terminated due to allegations related to fake keyboard activity. The details provided by the organisation do not specify whether these devices were used in the office or while working from home. It is also unclear what the employees were doing during the period. On the other hand, they also didn’t disclose how they exposed such employees.

According to BBC reports, many companies began using advanced tools to monitor employees when remote work was implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This software can track keyboard movements, and eye movements, take screenshots and record information about websites visited during working hours. However, there are also technologies available in the market designed to outsmart such surveillance systems. Reportedly, products like mouse jigglers, prevent computers from entering sleep mode due to inactivity and can trick the monitoring system.

The news portal also confirms that there have been at least six cases in the past when a few employees were terminated, while one resigned voluntarily after they were questioned about the allegations. Most of these employees had worked with Wells Fargo for less than five years. Meanwhile, Laurie Kight, a spokeswoman for Wells Fargo stated that the company “holds employees to the highest standards and does not tolerate unethical behaviour.”

Wells Fargo is one of the few banks to adopt a hybrid work model, which allows their employees to work from the office for just three days a week. According to their website, for positions that require onsite work, the company will offer time off and other benefits that help them balance work and personal life.

According to the Financial Times, Barclays and Citigroup have informed their staff members that they must work from the office five days a week from this month. On the other hand, Bank of America sent their employees ‘letters of education,’ where they gave warnings if they did not report to work for the minimum number of days each week.