Fired WFH Employee: Laptop Activity Tracking Leads to Job Loss

Suzie Cheikho, a 38-year-old work-from-home (WFH) employee, recently disclosed that she was dismissed from her employment at Insurance Australia Group after providing 18 years of service. The termination occurred subsequent to a formal warning about her performance and output in November 2022. She was let go on February 20 due to her failure to meet deadlines, missing meetings, and not completing critical tasks. The Fair Work Commission (FWC) found that she frequently did not work her scheduled hours, often arriving late and leaving early, with some days where she did not work at all, as indicated by her online activity.

During a formal meeting concerning the review, Ms. Cheikho disputed the accuracy of the data without providing any evidence to support her claim. She stated that she needed time to consider the situation and would respond at a later date. In a written response, she attributed her performance decline to personal issues affecting her mental health, as well as an injury. She mentioned informing managers about medical appointments and committing to make up for the lost time.

A month later, Ms. Cheikho alleged that the company had a predetermined plan to dismiss her and that she was targeted due to her mental health issues. Presently, she is dependent on welfare support after receiving her final payment from the company. Her situation has unexpectedly brought attention to her online presence, as she has become a micro-influencer with nearly 8000 followers on TikTok. She stated that she earns a modest income from TikTok, which helps cover her bills, and uses her platform to raise awareness about mental health issues.

Ms. Cheikho now expresses concerns about her future employability, reflecting on her 18-year tenure at the company with only one prior warning.