Preventing fraud in the SA workplace
Employing the right people makes a productive and healthy company, and goes a long way to preventing larceny and fraud. Corporate South Africa is becoming more aware of the risks and dangers of corruption often lurking inside its own ranks. No matter the size of your company, managing security systems and removing people risk from business is a strategic imperative if you don’t want internal swindlers to cut into your bottom line!
In fact, smaller companies are more susceptible to fraud because they often have poorer risk-control systems. By employing the right personnel, you can take a step towards preventing fraud in your workplace.
Fraud comes in various guises
Here are a few examples:
- Embezzlement,
- Corruption,
- Creating fraudulent documents,
- Theft, and
- Simple dishonesty.
Companies need to be on the lookout for unethical people who will find more and more innovative ways to steal. You must also be aware of those employees, who may be pushed over the line by financial or lifestyle pressure, to commit fraud.
Don’t wait until it’s too late
Often deep-seated and long-standing corruption is only revealed when an employee is caught red-handed, a syndicate is exposed or a staff member leaves the company.
Employee dishonesty can begin before the employee starts
More and more, we’re seeing employee dishonesty starting before the employee even takes up a position. Falsifying a work application or obtaining counterfeit certifications to qualify for a position within a company means a serious breach of trust from the start.
You need to check employees’ and candidates’:
- References,
- Qualifications,
- Credit history, and
- Criminal history.
Transparency is key
South African companies are faced with corruption on a daily basis. You need to create a zero-tolerance policy that establishes clear rules for conduct and communicates the penalties for corruption.
