Almost 60 per cent of the 850 firms surveyed said they had had to interrogate an employee about an irregular or extravagant receipt although only in 15 per cent of cases this led to a dismissal.

It is estimated that workers in the UK are currently costing their employers £1billion (AUD$2b) a year in illegitimate claims.

Russell Bradley, head of employment law at DLA Piper in Scotland, said firms should examine staff claims more carefully – particularly during the recession when money is tight.

Research recently commissioned by Travelodge, the budget hotel chain, found that employees typically boosted their pay packets to the tune of £17 (AUD$34) a month by claiming for expenses that they did not incur.

It's not just the private sector suffering from illegitimate claims, public sector organisations are also coming under increasing pressure to lift the lid on hocus claims.