Bell fires ‘small number’ of employees who allegedly falsified in-office attendance

Bell parent company BCE has fired some of the carrier’s employees who it says violated code of conduct by repeatedly pretending to be in the office.

As reported by The Globe and Mail, Bell says a “small number” of employees had been entering the office to swipe in with their key card to record their attendance before immediately leaving the premises. The company notes that “swipe and go” method was used in offices across the country, with one employee even swiping in at right before and after midnight to make it seem that they were in the office for two consecutive days.

Speaking to The Globe, a Bell spokesperson said it conducted a “thorough investigation” into this behaviour and found that “the majority of individuals admitted to deliberate and repeated falsification of workplace attendance.” The company added that no unionized employees were affected and that these terminations aren’t part of any wider cost-cutting measures.

Bell has held a three-days-in-the-office policy following the COVID-19 pandemic, as does rival Telus. Rogers, meanwhile, began requiring all five days in the office earlier this year. This week, federal government employees also moved to working four or five days in the office, depending on their position.

It’s part of a larger trend of companies ordering workers to return to the office for most, if not all, of the week. This is despite the fact that the majority of Canadians say they prefer remote work and data shows that employee happiness, retention and productivity rises when at least some level of hybrid model is adopted.

Via: The Globe and Mail