An Australian WFH employee is criticizing her former employer for firing her based on tracking her typing activity.

An Australian WFH employee is criticizing her former employer for firing her based on tracking her typing activity.

Australian Employee Fired for Low Typing Activity while Working from Home

An employee in Australia found herself at the center of a controversy when she was fired for not typing enough while working from home. Despite her unfair dismissal claim being thrown out, she continues to claim that she was unfairly targeted by her former employer.

The Case of Suzie Cheikho

Suzie Cheikho, who had been working for Insurance Australia Group (IAG) for 18 years, was terminated from her position as a consultant for outbound communications disclosure on February 20. The company cited “very low keystroke activity” on Cheikho’s laptop between October and December as the reason for her dismissal. However, Cheikho strongly believes that she was unjustly targeted by IAG.

Low Keystroke Activity and the Performance Improvement Plan

According to the filing made by IAG with Australia’s Fair Work Commission, Cheikho’s keystroke activity was far below the company’s expectations. In October, she logged only 48.6 keystrokes per hour, which further dropped to 34.56 keystrokes per hour in November. Her typing activity slightly improved in December, with 80 keystrokes per hour.

Her direct manager stated that given the nature of Cheikho’s role, which required data input and correspondence with stakeholders, her keystrokes per hour should have been upwards of 500. As a result, Cheikho was placed on a performance improvement plan in December 2022.

Allegations and Counterarguments

IAG alleged that the low keystroke activity indicated that Cheikho was not fulfilling her work responsibilities. However, Cheikho argued that she had a plan to remove her from the business and that her mental health issues were being used against her. She claimed that she used other devices for work and that there were extended periods when she was reading and checking documents, during which she did not need to type.

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Employee Surveillance Technology on the Rise

The case involving Suzie Cheikho brings attention to the increasing use of employee surveillance technology, particularly as remote work becomes more prevalent in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the United States, a mid-March survey commissioned by ResumeBuilder.com found that 96% of business leaders with primarily remote or hybrid workforces utilized some form of employee monitoring software to ensure productivity. This is a significant increase compared to just 10% prior to the outbreak.

The data obtained from monitoring employees was also being used for disciplinary purposes. According to the survey, about three-quarters of the 1,000 respondents reported that their companies had fired employees based on the data collected through surveillance.

Conclusion

While Suzie Cheikho’s unfair dismissal claim was dismissed by the Australian Fair Work Commission, she continues to assert that she was unfairly targeted by Insurance Australia Group. The case sheds light on the growing use of employee surveillance technology, as companies seek to monitor and enhance productivity in remote work environments. As the line between work and personal life becomes blurred, it is essential for employers to strike a balance between ensuring productivity and respecting their employees’ privacy and mental well-being.

• Australia
• careers
• wfh