Fired WFH Employee: No One Will Hire Me After Firm Tracks Laptop Activity

Suzie Cheikho, a 38-year-old work-from-home (WFH) employee, recently disclosed that she was terminated from her position at Insurance Australia Group after serving for 18 years. The termination came after a formal warning about her performance and output in November 2022. It was reported that she was dismissed on February 20 for failing to meet deadlines, missing meetings, and not completing crucial tasks.

The Fair Work Commission (FWC) found that she often did not work her scheduled hours, frequently arrived late, and left early. On some days, she did not work at all, as per her online activity. During a formal meeting regarding the review, Ms. Cheikho expressed disbelief in the accuracy of the data but failed to provide evidence to support her claim.

In her written response, she attributed her declining performance to personal issues affecting her mental health and a physical injury. She mentioned notifying managers about medical appointments and pledged to “make up the time afterwards.” Following her dismissal, Ms. Cheikho has become reliant on welfare support and mentioned receiving her final payment from the company.

Her online presence has garnered attention, and she has gathered a following on TikTok, where she shares her experiences related to mental health issues. She expressed concern about her future employability, given her recent dismissal after nearly two decades of service. She discussed her newfound role as a mental health advocate on social media, highlighting her struggles and the awareness she aims to raise.

Ms. Cheikho’s statement reflects her fear of potential challenges in finding employment in the future, following her long tenure with the company.