More and more employees willing to commit fraud

Photo: Depositphotos/zestmarina

According to the consulting specialist EY (ey.com) are prepared to engage in unethical behavior at work. Only almost one in two believe that integrity standards in their own company have improved over the past two years. The report surveyed 5,464 employees and board and management members in 53 countries.

Pressure increases in many places

Although 90 percent of the employees surveyed worldwide are confident that their colleagues comply with laws, rules of conduct and regulations, 38 percent would be tempted to behave unethically if instructed to do so by their superiors.

"The internal and external pressure on companies and their employees remains - and in view of a weak economy, an increasingly complex geopolitical situation and ongoing cyber threats, this pressure is more likely to increase than decrease," says Andreas Frohner, Head of Forensic & Integrity Services at EY Austria.

Temptations in the crisis

In addition to cyber security risks (26 percent), health crises (22 percent), financial performance expectations (22 percent), supply chain disruptions (21 percent) and geopolitical threats (15 percent) are also cited as external pressures that can trigger compliance breaches.

In contrast, almost half of those surveyed believe that internal factors are their own employees. High employee turnover (26 percent), a lack of resources (25 percent) and, last but not least, pressure from the company's own management (24 percent) were also cited.

31 of those surveyed say that unethical behavior is tolerated in their own company if it involves senior employees or particularly successful colleagues. Frohner: "Especially in difficult economic times, the temptation to overlook misconduct can be great if top employees were involved."

Source: EY