Staff are less sensitive about fraud in downturn, says Ernst & Young
FRAUDULENT business behaviours are becoming more acceptable as the recession worsens, an Ernst & Young survey suggested yesterday.
The accountancy said of 2,200 workers in major firms across Europe half thought one or more unethical activities – such as giving a cash bribe to win work – was acceptable.
There was even a significant minority – 13 per cent of senior managers – that said distorting their company’s financial performance was justifiable to survive today’s turbulent economic climate.
The highest acceptance of bad practices was seen in Turkey, with 53 per cent thinking it’s fine to give a cash bribe to win work compared to 14 per cent in the UK. The group added that 70 per cent agree management is likely to cut corners in the downturn.