Page 141 - Deception at work all chapters EBook

142 Deception at Work

RECOGNIZING THE REALITY

Although it is critical that investigations comply with the law and can be honestly reported
without fear of justified criticism, criminals rarely intend to get caught and it is sometimes nec-
essary to use techniques that could be regarded by anorak-wearers as controversial. But please
remember that an ineffective investigation leaves a cloud of unresolved suspicion hanging
over the heads of innocent people and allows crooks to escape and victimize others. Thus the
purpose of any investigation is to find the truth: to clear innocent people as well as to prove,
beyond doubt, the guilt of those involved.

Sweeping the symptoms of malpractice or dishonesty under the carpet, or going through
faint-hearted investigations is not fair to the people suspected, to the victim organization or
to honest employees; wilful blindness and apathy are not viable options.

BRAND MANAGER result in adverse publicity. However, they
transferred the manager to low-level work,
Allegations, in an anonymous letter, were but refused to explain why. He became
made against a senior and very successful depressed and killed himself. At the inquest
brand manager to the effect that he had the truth emerged: the anonymous letter
taken bribes for passing business to an proved to be false, and the employer was
advertising agency. His managers decided heavily censured for its lack of action.
not to probe the allegations, foolishly
believing that an investigation would

If the suspicions of dishonesty are ignored, chances are they will reappear, usually in a
more damaging form.

Fraud, malpractice and dishonesty is contagious
If you have current suspicions you should resolve them

DECIDING ON ACTION IN THE ABSENCE OF THE FACTS

A director of human resources argued written warnings. Two years later over $3
strongly that the police should not be called million went missing. This time the police
when clear signs of fraud were discovered in were called and two of the three men were
a computer department. He suggested that prosecuted and imprisoned. However,
a witch-hunt would be bad for the morale the company’s claim under its fidelity
of employees who were under extreme policies was, quite properly, denied on the
pressure to complete a large conversion grounds that the men’s previous dishonesty
project. Three employees were interviewed disqualified them from cover.
by personnel officers and issued with

There must be a clear distinction between finding the facts and the management decisions
that have to be taken as a result. Deciding on the outcome of suspicions without knowing the
facts is akin to signing a blank cheque.