Did you know that 55 per cent of employees fudge travel figures or that 46 per cent believe that a call to their grandma in a faraway village at company expense is alright?

If as a manager, you are worried about increasing operational costs, then these figures should tell you exactly where to crack the whip! A recent survey by Teamlease Services on workplace ethics found many more such behavioural shockers, something that Indian industry can ill afford at a time when competition is at our doorstep.

For example if 55.7 per cent of employees fudged expense accounts, costs are bound to go up. And what about the majority of 63 per cent staff who believe that carrying out personal tasks at work is par for the course? So, if productivity is taking a hit, who is to blame?

The survey, which is fourth in the series on “World of Work” conducted by TLS, attempts to track the changing scenario at workplaces across India. Here are some of the findings of this survey…

• 9.30am - 5.30pm: Recorded Standard Time! – Nearly 45% people don't bat an eyelid while logging incorrect in / out times. If I'm late, I ain't telling!

• Calling "Granny or Aunty" from office is fine! Nearly 46.8% feel using the office line for personal long distance calls is OK!

• The next time cost goes up, check your expense reports! Around 55.7% workers had no qualms about fudging details here.

• Nearly 60% people lied unabashed while applying for leave. "Too bad boss wants me at work – I need time off" is the attitude.

• The next time you bribe someone, there's a full chance you qualify for the 62% of people who consider this act normal and ethical!

• Promise the earth to the customers… it'll be too late by the time they find out anyway! This attitude is echoed as 60% responses support this as accepted ethical behavior.

• All is fair in love n' war – and now business as well! Nearly 62% respondents would use any means to get competitor information.

• Need printouts / photocopy for personal work? Worry not, the office support system is there just for you.Nearly 61% respondents felt it was fine to take printouts and photocopies at office for personal work.

• Work productivity dipping … Obviously! Around 63% respondents are ok with doing personal work during office hours.

• Kolkata comes through as a highly integrity & ethically conscious city with an ethics index of 76%. Also, against popular notion, Delhi-ites seem to be quite ethical and straight-forward – or so they say at 53%!

• Interestingly, among the cities interviews, Kolkatans are most sensitive to unethical behavior with an ethics index of 76, vis-a-vis Ahmedabad which came through the most lenient at an ethics index of 21.