More than half the workforce think a "bit of fiddling on expenses" is not as bad as fraud and an even larger number think most people lie to their boss on occasions, according to the first comprehensive survey of workplace attitudes towards ethical conduct.

But the vast majority frowned on taking software home, going sick the day after a party at work, favouring family or friends with contracts and charging personal entertainment to an employer's account, the survey, which was carried out by Mori, said.