The ethics of expense claims... what would you do?

Wednesday 12 February, 2020

ETHICAL DILEMMA

The ethics of expense claims... What would you do?

Photograph of a person using a laptop to lodge an expense claim on a wooden desk, by Fabian Irsara on Unsplash
Photo by Fabian Irsara on Unsplash

You are the line manager for a team of people in your company in the finance sector. One of your key staff members is excellent at her job and is known for her ability to generate a high amount of income for the company - none of your other team members come close to her in terms of this.

You are aware that your company's competitors have made attempts to head hunt this staff member, which she has so far rejected, much to your relief as your department is heavily reliant upon her abilities and you are paid bonuses based on your department's profitability.

However, you are certain that this staff member is submitting fraudulent expense claims, sometimes several hundred or even thousands of dollars more than she has actually spent - a tiny fraction of the profits she is generating, but fraudulent nonetheless.

What would you do?

We challenge you to create a healthy discussion with your colleagues and post a comment below. You could even encourage them to consider taking The Banking and Finance Oath!

Please share your ethical dilemmas with us - we can post them anonymously. You can email your dilemmas to dilemma@thebfo.org  

 

 

Comments

There are 4 comments for The ethics of expense claims... what would you do?.

Re: The ethics of expense claims... what would you do?

Thursday 13 February, 2020
by TERRY
Fraud committed by a staff member in the finance sector?
If the fraud can be proven, there is only one option, and this does not involve a "voluntary" resignation. The only question is - should the police be consulted?
While as managers we may exhibit differing levels of competence, which will reflect inherent ability and other factors, one thing we can always demonstrate is ethical values, and a willingness to follow follow those values to their inevitable endpoint.
Reply

Re: The ethics of expense claims... what would you do?

Thursday 13 February, 2020
by Peter Heenan
This employee is dishonest and should have her services terminated on the spot so as to set an example to the other employees who might just look up to her. The risk is that if the dishonest claims begin to increase this may eventually impact on profits. Further if she encourages other staff members to do this then this will further impact on the bottom line.
Reply

Re: The ethics of expense claims... what would you do?

Friday 14 February, 2020
by Glenn Homan
If your own sense of ethics can be bought by her assumed profit generation you have no business working either. Investigate and terminate. If you considered anything else follow her out the door.
Reply

Re: The ethics of expense claims... what would you do?

Wednesday 19 February, 2020
by Julien
As long as it can be proven that her transactions are fraudulent she should not be part of the team or business. High performance at the cost of integrity should not be tolerated in business.s
Reply

Leave a Comment

Join the conversation. Your email address will not be published.

Required fields are marked: This is a required field.

Add a Comment
Input Verification To help us avoid spam, please enter the text exactly as you see it in the image below. If your text doesn't match the image, you'll be able to try again with a different image.
Load a different image
Submit Form

The Oath

  • Trust is the foundation of my profession.
  • I will serve all interests in good faith.
  • I will compete with honour.
  • I will pursue my ends with ethical restraint.
  • I will help create a sustainable future.
  • I will help create a more just society.
  • I will speak out against wrongdoing and support others who do the same.
  • I will accept responsibility for my actions.

In these and all other matters;
My word is my bond.