Dozens of Bank Employees Sacked for Faking Work with Phoney Keyboards

A number of Wells Fargo employees have lost their jobs after the company discovered alleged practices of faking work activity using special devices that made computers appear to be actively in use. The findings emerged from an internal investigation, which then became the basis for the termination of employment. In documents filed with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), Wells Fargo explained the dismissals occurred after the company reviewed allegations involving the use of tools that simulate keyboard activity, creating the impression that employees were working when they were not. A Wells Fargo spokesperson stated the bank cannot tolerate such behaviour, saying, ‘Wells Fargo holds employees to the highest standards and does not tolerate unethical behaviour.’ The practice of faking work involved using a phoney keyboard device. Known as a mouse jiggler, the tool makes it appear as if the mouse is moving and keeps the computer awake. Those using the device prevented their computers from entering sleep mode, even when they were not actually working. Such mouse jiggler-like devices are widely available on the market. These products became very popular among workers globally as remote working systems, or work from home (WFH), expanded during the Covid-19 pandemic. The devices allow computers to appear active, giving the impression that users are working even when they are not at their desks. This situation has brought the monitoring of remote employees under increased scrutiny. The work-from-home system has repeatedly been a subject of debate, with many expressing concerns about employee engagement. A Gallup State of the Global Workplace report noted that 62 per cent of workers worldwide are not engaged in their jobs, with 15 per cent actively disengaged, describing themselves as having poor managers or jobs and actively seeking new employment.