Bell owner BCE fires employees over ‘swipe and go’ office attendance misconduct allegations

BCE says it has dismissed a “small number” of employees after an internal investigation found staff had allegedly falsified workplace attendance records.

The parent company of Bell Canada said some workers engaged in what it described as “swipe and go” behaviour by entering offices, recording attendance with security cards and then leaving immediately.

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According to company spokesperson Luc Levasseur, incidents were identified in offices across Canada.

One employee allegedly swiped into the office shortly before midnight and again after the hour to appear present on two separate days.

Another reportedly entered company premises to use fitness facilities before leaving.

“In each case, there was a thorough investigation and individuals were presented with clear evidence of their misconduct,” Levasseur said.

“The majority of individuals admitted to deliberate and repeated falsification of workplace attendance,” he added.

BCE said unionised employees were not affected and insisted there was no wider workforce reduction programme underway.

The company currently requires most corporate staff to work in the office three days a week.

Employment lawyers say dismissals “for cause” are uncommon in Canada because they can result in workers losing severance entitlements.