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Abuse of Position

  • 10 Minutes
  • For all staff
  • jurisdiction UK

Abuse of position is a form of fraud that employees can commit, sometimes without intending to, by using their role for personal gain. This 10-minute express course explains that it is a serious criminal offence carrying a prison sentence, helps staff identify the three elements of the crime, and covers the motivations and circumstances that typically lead to it.

The offence catches conduct people do not think of as fraud: diverting an opportunity, favouring a connected supplier, using access for private benefit. Anyone in a position of trust can commit it, which covers most of a workforce. Making the boundary explicit protects individuals from a criminal record they did not see coming.
objectives

What you’ll learn in
this course

  • Understand that fraud by abuse of position is a serious criminal offence
  • Identify the three elements of the crime
  • Recognise the motivation, justifications and opportunity for employees to abuse their position
  • Avoid inadvertently abusing your position within the Company

Hear from our customers

We have been enjoying e-learning with Skillcast for 10 years now. Their customer service is always at the highest level, always very attentive, responsive, and polite. Highly recommend to any company who is looking for a high quality e-learning and customer service (they have both in high standards).

Feefo Customer Rating  ★★★★★ 4.9/5

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Prepare your team to tackle fraud effectively

Fraud causes businesses to lose an average of 5% of annual revenue, yet 86% of incidents go unreported. Our courses help staff identify early warning signs and respond effectively, reducing your risk of serious financial loss.
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Authorised push payment fraud occurs when scammers impersonate trusted figures to trick individuals into transferring money. This training outlines how to recognise and prevent authorised push payment fraud by verifying suspicious requests and staying vigilant.

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Supplier Fraud

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Failing to Disclose Information

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Identity Fraud

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Abuse of Position

Microlearning 5 Minutes Fraud Prevention For all staff

Fraud by abuse of position occurs when someone in a position of trust dishonestly exploits their role for personal gain or to cause loss to others. This training helps employees recognise fraudulent behaviours, understand the legal consequences and take appropriate action to prevent and report misconduct.

Your questions, answered

Fraud Prevention

How can I ensure employees are aware of our Fraud Prevention policies and procedures? 

Our Policy Hub makes it easy to distribute your Fraud Prevention policies to all employees and track their acknowledgement. You can set up automated reminders to ensure that employees review and agree to comply with these policies, providing a clear record of engagement to support compliance.

How can employees report suspicions of fraud anonymously?

Our Whistleblowing Register provides a secure and anonymous platform for employees to report any suspicions of fraud. This tool ensures that employees can raise concerns without fear of retaliation, allowing your organisation to address potential issues promptly and transparently.

How can I make sure every employee has read and agreed to our anti-fraud and conduct policies?

Our Policy management ensures employees review and acknowledge key anti-fraud and conduct policies, creating a clear audit trail for regulators. You can manage policy updates, track completions, and demonstrate compliance—all from one place.

How can I measure my employees’ awareness of fraud risks and identify gaps in understanding?

Our Fraud Prevention Staff Survey helps you gauge staff awareness of fraud risks and pinpoint areas that need attention before issues arise. You can run periodic surveys to monitor culture, track improvements over time, and target further training.

How can I provide employees with a safe and anonymous way to report suspected fraud?

Our Whistleblowing Register gives employees a confidential channel to report potential fraud without fear of retaliation. This demonstrates to regulators that you take whistleblower protections seriously and encourages a culture of transparency.

What are the most common types of fraud in construction?

  • Bid rigging and collusion during tendering
  • False invoicing and overbilling
  • Theft or misuse of materials and equipment
  • Manipulation of progress reports or timesheets
  • Warranty or insurance fraud after project completion

Why is the construction industry especially vulnerable to fraud?

The industry’s structure makes it a target. Projects often involve multiple subcontractors, large sums of money, and tight deadlines, all of which create opportunities for misconduct. Oversight can be challenging, particularly when work happens across several sites, making fraudulent activities harder to detect.

How can companies detect fraud early?

Early detection is about combining good oversight with smart tools. For example:

  • Monitoring financial records for irregular billing.
  • Using data analytics to flag suspicious payment patterns.
  • Carrying out site inspections and inventory checks.
  • Providing safe, anonymous channels for employees to raise concerns.
These steps make it much harder for fraud to go unnoticed.

What role does leadership play in fraud prevention?

Leaders set the tone. If executives and managers demonstrate a strong commitment to integrity, employees are far more likely to follow suit. This means:
  • Making anti-fraud policies clear and accessible.
  • Enforcing rules consistently — no exceptions for "star performers."
  • Rewarding ethical behaviour alongside project results.