Backdating: meaning, definitions and examples
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backdating
[ ˈbækˌdeɪtɪŋ ]
legal term
Backdating refers to the practice of marking a document with a date that is earlier than the actual date of signing or execution. It is often done for legal or financial purposes, but can also lead to ethical concerns and potential legal issues if used to misrepresent facts.
Synonyms
alter date, falsify date, predate
Examples of usage
- The company was accused of backdating employee stock options.
- She was fired for backdating her application.
- Backdating contracts can lead to serious legal repercussions.
Translations
Translations of the word "backdating" in other languages:
🇵🇹 data retroativa
🇮🇳 पूर्ववत दिनांक
🇩🇪 Rückdatierung
🇮🇩 pencatatan mundur
🇺🇦 датування заднім числом
🇵🇱 datowanie wsteczne
🇯🇵 遡及日付
🇫🇷 datation rétroactive
🇪🇸 fechado retroactivo
🇹🇷 geriye dönük tarih verme
🇰🇷 소급 날짜
🇸🇦 تاريخ بأثر رجعي
🇨🇿 zpětné datování
🇸🇰 spätné datovanie
🇨🇳 追溯日期
🇸🇮 retroaktivno datiranje
🇮🇸 afturvirk dagsetning
🇰🇿 артқа шегіну
🇬🇪 უკან დაბრუნების თარიღი
🇦🇿 geriyə dönük tarix
🇲🇽 fecha retroactiva
Etymology
The term 'backdating' emerged in the 20th century, primarily within the context of legal and financial documentation. The prefix 'back-' implies a return to a previous point in time, while 'dating' derives from the Old French word 'dater', meaning to assign a date. Initially, backdating was a technical term used in business to describe the act of dating a document to precede its actual execution. Its usage expanded notably during the late 1990s and early 2000s, especially amidst controversies in corporate governance. Companies using backdating practices to influence stock options faced scrutiny and legal challenges, leading to tighter regulations and a shift in ethical standards. The duality of backdating, being both a legal tool and a method of potential fraud, continues to shape discussions in business ethics and law.