The Real Problem with Fake Work

Wells Fargo and other organizations have recently made news for firing employees who simulated keyboard activity to take advantage of their remote working arrangements. But let’s face it. Faking work is nothing new and it’s not unique to today’s virtual world.

Mouse jigging might be the newest and most high-tech approach, but for years, people who wanted to give the impression of working have used keyboard shortcuts as well as automated and scheduled messages. They’ve turned off cameras to engage in other activities and lied about why calls went unanswered.?

Faking work and other forms of suboptimization are a long-standing feature of the business landscape. And, while it’s tempting to demonize the employees who engage in this sort of deception, it might be time to take a step back, look at the root causes, and consider a more holistic approach to the issue.

Sara Taylor is a diversity and inclusion strategist renowned for her visionary work in cultural competence. She is a nationally recognized speaker, best-selling author, and founder of deepSEE Consulting , which provides insightful consulting and strategic diversity training paired with measurement tools to build individual and organizational cultural competence. Sara is the author of?the 2017 bestselling book Filter Shift: How Effective People See the World

.Her latest book,?Thinking at the Speed of Bias , is a down-to-earth guide on how to tackle unconscious biases and foster true equity in our rapidly changing world. Through relatable examples and practical strategies, readers learn to deliberately slow down their thought processes and become aware of their Filters in various situations.?

There is a need to shift diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts from "positive intent" to genuine, strategic transformations that integrate cultural competence and inclusive leadership into organizational culture.

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Thanks for reading,

Julie