Employee Crimes and Women, a Sri Lankan Perspective

Abstract

Women's engagement in criminal activities has been steadily increasing, driven by modernization and various socio-economic factors. Over the last decade, academic studies have also focused extensively on female criminality, particularly in the context of employee crime. Thus, the current study delves into the personal and institutional factors that significantly impact female involvement in employee criminal behavior. The study focused on both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The data was collected from 36 female offenders identified in the Fraud Investigation Bureau in Sri Lanka through semi-structured interviews. The analysis was conducted using both qualitative and quantitative methods. The study revealed that twenty-five percent of women had committed financial crimes because of a sudden economic hardship such as the inability to repay bank loans, Family commitments, and other economic needs. It further revealed that 33%, or 12 people, had the opportunity to commit employee crimes or fraud, even if they were not financially disadvantaged. Thus, the involvement of females in crimes had low values but with many intervals. These women who have committed white-collar crimes possess a higher level of education, extensive workplace experience, and a solid reputation. Employee welfare schemes and easy credit schemes, improving the institution's internal security, and proper work division and employee supervision are the most appropriate recommendations to prevent such employee crimes.    

KEYWORDS - Women, Employee fraud, the Asian region, Gender, Sri Lanka.