‘Cynical & shocking stunt’ | Staff sent 'pandemic bonus email' to test cybersecurity expertise

In the pandemic year, several large employers have handed out bonuses to staff members to thank them for their continued hard work throughout this difficult time.

Yet, a UK train operator has received criticism after it sent an email to workers promising a bonus to staff, which later turned out to be a cybersecurity test.

According to the Guardian, West Midlands Trains emailed circa 2,500 staff members with a memo stating that the firm’s Managing Director, Julian Edwards, wanted to thank them for their hard work throughout the pandemic year.

The email went on to explain that they would get a one-off payment to thank them after “huge strain was placed upon a large number of our workforce”.