More people are willing to do what it takes to get themselves ahead — especially if they're higher up the corporate ladder, a report from EY out today shows.
Why it matters: Business leaders appear to have grown more tolerant of unethical behavior during the pandemic, particularly their own actions, according to the study.
By the numbers: 18% of over 400 board members surveyed between June and September last year said they would mislead auditors or regulators to improve their pay or career — up from 14% in 2020.
- 15% now say they would falsify financial records, up from 12%
- 14% say they would offer or accept a bribe, up from 12%
The big picture: An increasing number of people say companies often tolerate senior leaders or “high performers” acting unethically — 42% in the latest survey, up from 34%.