Charted: Boardroom confessional

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Which, if any, of the following would you be prepared to do to improve your own career progression or remuneration package?
Data: Global Integrity Report 2022; Chart: Jacque Schrag/Axios

More people are willing to do what it takes to get themselves ahead — especially if they're higher up the corporate ladder, a report from EY out today shows.

Why it matters: Business leaders appear to have grown more tolerant of unethical behavior during the pandemic, particularly their own actions, according to the study.

By the numbers: 18% of over 400 board members surveyed between June and September last year said they would mislead auditors or regulators to improve their pay or career — up from 14% in 2020.

  • 15% now say they would falsify financial records, up from 12%
  • 14% say they would offer or accept a bribe, up from 12%

The big picture: An increasing number of people say companies often tolerate senior leaders or “high performers” acting unethically — 42% in the latest survey, up from 34%.