Wells Fargo, a big bank in the US, fired some workers for pretending to work when they were not. These workers used tricks to make it look like they were busy on their computers. The bank found out and let these workers go. Some workers quit after being caught.
This problem shows how hard it is for companies to check if people are really working from home. During the Covid-19 pandemic, many people worked from home, and companies used special tools to watch their work. But some people used gadgets called "mouse jigglers" to fool these tools. These gadgets are easy to buy online.
Even though working from home is still popular, fewer people are doing it now compared to the pandemic. Research shows that less than 27% of workdays in the US are from home, down from over 60% during the pandemic. Many companies want their workers back in the office. Wells Fargo lets workers split their time between home and the office.
Original news source: Mouse jigglers' pretending to work fired by bank (BBC)
π§ Listen:
π Vocabulary:
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– Charades
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Give each group a set of vocabulary words related to the article (e.g. bank, computer, work from home, pandemic, office, etc.). One student from each group will act out a word without using any words or sounds, while the other group members try to guess the word. The group that guesses the most words correctly wins.
– News Summary
Instructions: Have the students read the article individually or in pairs. Ask them to write a summary of the article using their own words. Afterward, have them share their summaries with a partner and compare their answers. Finally, discuss the main points of the article as a class.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Create a list of statements related to the article (e.g. "Working from home is more productive than working in the office"). Have the students individually rate each statement on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being strongly disagree and 5 being strongly agree. Afterward, have them discuss their ratings in small groups and try to come to a consensus. Finally, have a class discussion where students share their opinions and reasons behind their ratings.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Create a list of vocabulary words from the article. Divide the class into pairs or small groups. One student will choose a word and try to draw it on the board while the other students try to guess the word. The student who guesses correctly gets a point. After several rounds, the student or group with the most points wins.
– Future Predictions
Instructions: In pairs or small groups, have the students discuss and make predictions about the future of remote work. How will it change after the pandemic? Will more companies allow their employees to work from home? Will there be more tools to prevent "pretending to work"? Each group should write down their predictions and present them to the class. Afterwards, discuss the different predictions and reasons behind them as a class.
π€ Comprehension Questions:
Wells Fargo fired some workers because they were pretending to work when they were not.
The workers used tricks on their computers to make it look like they were busy.
"Mouse jigglers" are gadgets that people can buy online. They move the computer mouse automatically so it looks like the person is using the computer even when they are not.
It is hard for companies to check if people are really working from home because they can use tricks or gadgets to make it look like they are working when they are not.
More people worked from home during the pandemic.
Many companies want their workers back in the office because they can keep a better eye on them and make sure they are working.
Yes, Wells Fargo workers can split their time between home and the office.
π§βοΈ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
Wells Fargo, a big bank in the US, fired some ers for pretending to work when they were not. These workers tricks to make it look like they were busy on their . The bank found out and let these workers go. Some workers quit after being . This shows how hard it is for companies to check if people are really working from home. During the pandemic, many people worked from home, and companies used special tools to watch their work. But some people used gadgets called "mouse jigglers" to these . These gadgets are easy to buy online. Even though working from home is still , fewer people are doing it now compared to the pandemic. Research shows that less than 27% of workdays in the US are from , down from over 60% during the pandemic. Many want their workers back in the office. Wells lets workers split their time between home and the office.
π¬ Discussion Questions:
1. What is a "mouse jiggler" and what is it used for?
2. How do you think the workers felt when they were caught pretending to work?
3. Do you think it's fair for companies to use special tools to watch their employees when they work from home? Why or why not?
4. How would you feel if you were allowed to work from home sometimes?
5. Do you think it's easier to work from home or work in an office? Why?
6. What do you think are some advantages of working from home?
7. Do you think it's important for companies to have their workers back in the office? Why or why not?
8. How do you think the workers who quit their jobs felt after being caught pretending to work?
9. Have you ever worked from home? If so, how did you like it? If not, would you like to try it? Why or why not?
10. Do you think it's harder for companies to check if people are really working from home or in the office? Why or why not?
11. What do you think are some disadvantages of working from home?
12. Would you prefer to work from home or in an office? Why?
Individual Activities
ππ Vocabulary Meanings:
Click a dot next to a word, then click the dot next to its meaning to draw a line connecting them.
Words
Meanings
π‘ Multiple Choice Questions:
π΅οΈ True or False Questions:
π Write a Summary:
Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
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