The article doesn't say anything about productivity or targets. They got as much done as someone who manually wiggles the mouse while thinking instead of going for a walk while thinking.
Sorry you're getting downvoted... I read the article as well and yeah- You're totally right. This is BS rage bait that isn't even warranted against Wells Fargo.
I have 2 coworkers who do the same thing and it is pretty damn irritating cuz they're on my team, and I legitimately cannot rely on them on a day to day basis to be around to do their job. So I understand the frustration. This shit does ruin WFH for everyone else, directly or indirectly.
A company spokesperson said: “Wells Fargo holds employees to the highest standards and does not tolerate unethical behaviour.”
Wells Fargo has been notoriously inconsistent.
I'm going to assume the workers were being over-monitored, and disallowed from normal human activity until this is specifically ruled out by additional reports.
When a company is abusive and toxic to the point workers turn to surveillance evasion, it not only ruins that job, but makes the employee wary of future jobs. It causes social harm.
Yes, it is typical, but requiring employees to hand over personal Facebook account passwords used to be typical until the requirement was outlawed. Employers often act in bad faith, and workers commonly have to tolerate it. So distrust of companies, and of Wells Fargo in particular, is well earned.