Twenty-seven percent of the 2004 adults surveyed by YouGov
claimed that they would report cases of illegal software use, an
offence that can result in penalties such as imprisonment,
substantial fines and the confiscation of assets for the negligent
company.
Thirty-four percent would report tax evasion, 71% would report
fraud, 76% would report theft and 87% would report bullying or
harassment.
The research shows that businesses and employees are more
concerned than ever about ethical behaviour in the workplace, says
the BSA.
Nearly half of those surveyed (46%) said their company was more
ethically responsible than three years ago, in comparison to just
14% who felt their company was less concerned with ethical business
practice. One in three employees were happier to report illegal or
inappropriate activity than three years ago, compared to just 10%
who feel the opposite.
The figures reveal that 49% of UK employees have come across
illegal or inappropriate activities at work and 64% would report
problems to an external body if their internal reports were
ignored. Forty-two percent felt that if their customers knew they
were using illegal software, the customers would be less inclined
to do business with them.
Disgruntled workers are even more likely to report illegal
goings-on. Sixty-five percent would consider reporting the company
if they felt their employer treated them unfairly, and more than
one in four (27%) said that large salary rises for the board or
poor salary reviews for staff could spur them to act.
“Employees are often concerned that reporting malpractice in the
workplace could impact negatively on their careers,” said Siobhan
Carroll, Regional Manager Northern Europe at BSA. “While we would
encourage employees to speak to their managers if possible, we have
found that our initiative at the BSA, which allows informants to
disclose details of illegal software use anonymously, does
encourage people to come forward with information.”
There are laws in place to protect staff from action by
employers in the event of whistleblowing.
The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 can protect employees
who report their employers' criminal offences or failure to comply
with any legal obligation. If sacked, an employee could bring a
case before an Employment Tribunal.
