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.
How is your country dealing with the return of stolen artifacts?
Western nations like Switzerland often have to deal with the process of recovering or returning looted artifacts which have been illegally imported. What’s the situation like in your country?
What do you think Switzerland’s Alain Berset can bring to the Council of Europe?
The former interior minister is to become the first Swiss Secretary General of the Council of Europe – which issues should his five-year term focus on?
Sylvain Saudan, ‘skier of the impossible’, dies aged 87
This content was published on
The Swiss father of extreme skiing pioneered descents from the Alps to the Himalayas – and became the sport’s first star.
Hayek family buys additional Swatch shares for nearly CHF11 million
This content was published on
Following the acquisition of registered shares worth over CHF20.6 million on Monday, the Hayek family made another purchase on Tuesday.
Suicide capsule to be used in Switzerland this year, says euthanasia organisation
This content was published on
The organisation “The Last Resort” has confirmed that the suicide capsule Sarco is to be used in Switzerland. This should happen this year, it said.
Ukrainian children flown to Switzerland for cancer treatment
This content was published on
The Swiss air rescue service Rega flew two Ukrainian children with cancer to Switzerland from a hospital in Kyiv hit by Russian missiles.
Swiss Solidarity raises over CHF10 million for victims of extreme weather
This content was published on
The money raised will be used to help those affected by the recent storms and flooding in the cantons of Ticino, Graubünden, and Valais.
Swiss giant Roche given green light for lung cancer drug in Canada
This content was published on
According to a recent study, Roche’s Alecensaro reduced the risk of recurrence or death by 76% compared to chemotherapy alone.
Swiss luxury watch market hit hard by China-led slump
This content was published on
Sales of Swiss-made luxury watches are in sharp retreat as nervous consumers reconsider splashing out on expensive timepieces and demand slumps.
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.