It could just reduce work, and crime as a second order effect, as crime still takes work. But I would theorise that it could decrease crime because it increases the likelihood of getting caught. Discussing a criminal conspiracy is much easier to do in person rather than over Teams, or any other communication software that leaves a record.
I mean while we're speculating we might as well throw in the other possibilities - like working from home might make you happier, resent your job less and less likely to try to fuck over your employer. In reality we don't know, but I don't think we need to assume it's due to lower productivity or increased sneakiness.
Trader crimes are not so much about screwing the employer. It's often aligned with the incentives of the employer i.e. make as much money as possible. The crime is more in that they use unlawful methods (or take on too much risk) to earn money for their employer and thus themselves via bonuses (and status, promotions etc).
> Trader crimes are not so much about screwing the employer. It's often aligned with the incentives of the employer i.e. make as much money as possible.
This really isn't the case, at least for large banks.
Bank boards and CEOs would much rather have lower trading performance than get pulled up by regulators. It's very difficult for a bank CEO to get fired for being to cautious and regulator friendly. Mediocre financial results can always be excused in earrings calls with de-risking or social responsibility and few shareholders are interested in the political fallout of publicly disagreeing with that.
Or that instead of sitting at your computer for another 4 hours, once you're done with your work, you're done. Yes, you could warm the seat for another couple of hours once you've finished your actual work. You could do that. On the other hand, Tears of the Kingdom just came out.
