Survey finds abuse in more than a third of Swiss companies
Whistleblowers reported suspected cases of abuse notably in large companies.
Keystone / A2625/_roland Holschneider
Suspected cases of embezzlement, tax fraud, money laundering and sexual harassment have been reported in 35% of companies in Switzerland, according to an international whistleblowing study.
Researchers polled nearly 1,400 companies with more than 20 employees in Switzerland, neighbouring Germany and France as well as in Britain.
The survey found the most suspected cases in companies headquartered in Germany (43% of German companies surveyed), ahead of Britain (40% of British companies) and French companies (38%). Some 35% of Swiss companies surveyed reported suspicions of embezzlement, tax fraud, money laundering or sexual harassment cases, according to a survey published on Wednesday by the university of applied sciences of ChurExternal link.
The situation is worst in companies with more than 249 employees, the study authors said.
The European Parliament approved a directive in April asking companies with more than 50 employees to set up reporting offices for whistleblowing.
The percentage of companies complying with the EU directive varies between 65% in Switzerland and in Britain, and 53% and 56% in France and Germany respectively, according to the latest report.
Banks and insurance companies are apparently at the forefront compared with other sectors.
Legal loophole
There is no legal protection for whistleblowers in Switzerland, despite efforts by parliament over the past 15 years.
The latest government proposal is tabled for discussion in the House of Representatives in June, but critics argue the bill is too complicated, particularly for small companies.
The Swiss chapter of the non-governmental group Transparency International has accused parliament of a lack of willingness to take action, according to a report on Swiss public radio, SRF.
Last July a private whistleblowing platform was launched aimed at allowing people to report anonymously abuses in business, politics and administration.
A similar platform was set up in 2017 by the Federal Audit Office for employees of the government administration.
More
More
Swiss whistleblowing culture still in infancy
This content was published on
The protective veil of Swiss banking secrecy was famously dealt a fatal blow by the testimony of a handful of whistleblowers in recent years.
Swiss price watchdog slams excessive prices for generic medicines
This content was published on
The cheapest generic medicines available in Switzerland are more than twice as expensive as in other countries, according to a study by the Swiss price watchdog.
Nature should not figure in net zero calculations: academic study
This content was published on
The natural removal of CO2 from the atmosphere by forests or oceans should not be included in the net-zero balance of climate protection measures, argue researchers.
This content was published on
None of the 15 major Swiss retail banks is meeting international climate and biodiversity targets, according to a ranking by WWF Switzerland.
This content was published on
Nestlé's new CEO Laurent Freixe, has presented plans for the future of the world's largest food company, after his first few weeks in office.
Swiss foreign minister calls on Moscow to end Ukraine war
This content was published on
It's high time Moscow ended its war against Ukraine, Swiss foreign minister Ignazio Cassis tells the UN Security Council.
This content was published on
The only alternative to the UN Palestinian agency’s work in Gaza is to allow Israel to run services there, Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, told reporters in Geneva on Monday.
Study reveals food culture differences between Switzerland and neighbours
This content was published on
Three-quarters of Swiss people consider eating to be a pleasurable, social activity, a new survey reveals. Healthy eating, however, plays a much less important role, it found.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss plans for whistleblowers fall short, critics say
This content was published on
Swiss government plans to update laws on whistleblowers will fail to provide sufficient protection for employees who reveal corporate wrongdoing.
Switzerland ranked among least corrupt in global index
This content was published on
For the second year running, Switzerland has been ranked third in Transparency International’s (TI) 2018 Corruption Perceptions Index.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.