With lock downs and the hybrid working model expected to be a mainstay even after the pandemic, home-based work will require trust between businesses and their employees.
However, new research reveals that 50% of SME business owners do not believe their employees are always honest with expenses they incur on behalf of the business.
These are derived from a survey of an independent panel of 326 SME owners, commissioned by DiviPay, Australia’s first virtual corporate card and expense management platform.
Divipay’s survey findings on trusting employees
DiviPay also found that 30% of the surveyed small and medium business owners don’t trust their employees with a corporate credit card or expense allowances.
This suggests continued remote working arrangements have reduced visibility for many business owners over expenses and corporate credit card use by their employees.
The survey asserts that the lack of trust was experienced to be higher among business owners with only a couple of staff and whose businesses are more financially fragile.
42% of the surveyed business owners with up to three employees completely don’t trust these employees with corporate card or expense allowances, compared with 21% of employers with 16-50 employees and 23% of employers with 51-200 employees.
The smaller the business, the more likely they are to believe that employees are completely honest with their use of company expense allowances.
48% of respondent business owners with up to three employees, 50% of employers with 3-15 employees, 53% of employers with 16-50 employees, and 58% of employers with 51-200 employees believe their employees don’t use company expense allowances honestly.
Divipay also found that 32% of business owners with 16-200 employees – compared with 25% of businesses with 3-15 employees and just 2% of businesses with up to three employees – had actually caught employees making an expense purchase that was either personal, not approved or not allowed in the business’s expense categories.
Daniel Kniaz, CEO of DiviPay says, “It is concerning to see a lack of trust between business owners and their employees. It suggests many smaller businesses lack a system that provides them with adequate visibility over expenses and how they’re being used by employees.”
“This is what will grow trust within the business. Remote working has exacerbated the need for increased visibility over expenses and corporate card use. Without this visibility and trust, business owners are likely to spend hours rectifying expenses and risking profit losses.”
DiviPay’s virtual corporate cards offer the solution
DiviPay virtual corporate cards are linked with an expense management platform, using OCR tech to enable employees to automate and streamline receipts after every single payment.
Businesses are able to view real-time transaction feeds, which provide a complete view of purchases, including date and time, merchant information and the employee purchasing.
Business owners can furthermore set purchase limits on the corporate cards and engage restrictions on the categories and merchants employees can transact with.
These systems can give employers peace of mind and renew their trust in employees.
The survey also revealed the bizarre, expensive, unnecessary, or personal purchases employees have made using a company card.
30% of businesses surveyed revealed an employee had made such purchases on the company card, with the majority admitting it had been used for personal food or coffee expenses. Employees had purchased personal trips, gifts, appliances, adult toys and furniture.
Some business owners revealed purchases had been accidental, while others admitted employees had made a personal purchase and claimed it as a business expense, highlighting the potential downside of company cards that don’t offer real-time visibility for the business.
“With continued uncertainty around the pandemic and its impact on many businesses, Small and Medium Enterprises are sticking to stringent budgets more than ever and small expense mistakes can add up and risk larger issues down the track,” Daniel adds.
“It is alarming that some employees are guilty of making personal purchases and allocating them as business expenses. This misuse of funds can lead to liability issues for business owners and land their company in hot water.”
“It points to a need for business owners to strengthen their whole-of-business expense process by including business cards that come with a sophisticated expense management system.”
Daniel shares his tips on improving trust in employees, particularly when working remotely.
Communicate openly and frequently
Without frequent communication, employees may be more likely to be disengaged from their work, cut corners or make oversights in company expenses.
Businesses need to develop new expense rules for working from home. Some expenses may not be necessary like travel, while new expenses will like phone calls and subscriptions.
Organisations could also consider updating their policies while working remotely, including adjusting how employees receive approvals from managers before making a purchase.
Guide employees through any new rules, allow them to ask questions, and ensure they are diligent with their record keeping.
Reward and recognise employees for their hard work
Remote working, particularly during the current conditions, can be tough and it is easy for employees to become unmotivated. Organisations could consider continuing the recognition programs that were in place prior to lockdown.
This could include employee of the month initiatives or rewards or bonuses for those who have gone above and beyond. A simple ‘thank you’ or a small gesture, such as a flower delivery, can also go a long way to keeping employees motivated and their hard work acknowledged.
Ensure employees have necessities to work productively
It is important for businesses to ensure employees have an ergonomic work-from-home set-up.
This includes ensuring they have a dedicated space for work that offers a clearer separation between work and home life. Employers should also ensure they have adequate internet access, can access company files and databases remotely and are using appropriate devices.
Some companies may need to provide a desktop computer or laptop to employees during the remote working period. When employees have access to the tools and information they require to work effectively, employers will have more peace of mind and trust in them, and vice versa.
Provide emotional support
While it is important for business leaders to ensure employees are working productively and effectively, remote working can be isolating and some may find it challenging to cope with.
A key to establishing trust is ensuring that employees feel supported and that their emotional needs are a priority. Scheduling check-ins is a simple way for leaders to show they’re accessible to employees and ready to provide support and advice when needed.
It is important for employers to acknowledge any difficulties and challenges that may be impacting their employees and find ways to address them.
Adopt visibility and transparency over finances
Having a good expense management system in place that gives employers control and visibility over spending, can go a long way to improving trust. It also ensures expenses aren’t mismanaged and employees will be more likely to report expenses honestly.
Organisations could consider using an automated expense software where they can supply individual cards to employees, while also setting budget limits on spending.
