COA Ethics & Professional Conduct 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following best describes 'ethical relativism' as a challenge in the workplace?
- Following all rules without question
- Believing ethical standards are absolute and universal
- Assuming that ethics differ by culture, making consistent standards difficult (Correct answer)
- Applying stricter rules to senior employees
Correct answer: Assuming that ethics differ by culture, making consistent standards difficult
Ethical relativism holds that moral standards vary by culture or context, which can complicate enforcing uniform workplace ethics.
Question 2: A client discloses personal information during a meeting. How should an office administrator treat that information?
- Share it with coworkers as general background
- Store it securely and only use it for legitimate business purposes (Correct answer)
- Discuss it only with people at the same pay grade
- Mention it to management in casual conversation
Correct answer: Store it securely and only use it for legitimate business purposes
Client information must be handled with strict confidentiality and used only for the purpose it was shared.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of a workplace code of ethics?
- To replace legal regulations in the organization
- To guide employee behavior and establish shared professional standards (Correct answer)
- To punish employees who make mistakes
- To limit the responsibilities of management
Correct answer: To guide employee behavior and establish shared professional standards
A code of ethics sets expectations for conduct, helping employees make decisions aligned with the organization's values.
Question 4: An administrator is asked by a supervisor to falsify a report. What should the administrator do?
- Comply since supervisors have authority
- Refuse and document the request, escalating if necessary (Correct answer)
- Ask a coworker to do it instead
- Alter only minor details to partially comply
Correct answer: Refuse and document the request, escalating if necessary
Falsifying records is unethical and potentially illegal; the administrator should refuse and escalate through proper channels.
Question 5: Which communication behavior reflects professionalism in written office correspondence?
- Using informal slang to seem approachable
- Copying all staff on sensitive HR matters for transparency
- Maintaining a respectful, clear, and accurate tone in all messages (Correct answer)
- Withholding relevant information to avoid lengthy emails
Correct answer: Maintaining a respectful, clear, and accurate tone in all messages
Professional written communication is respectful, clear, and accurate regardless of the audience or platform.
Question 6: What is the ethical obligation of an office administrator who witnesses workplace harassment?
- Stay out of it to avoid retaliation
- Laugh along to maintain positive relations with the harasser
- Report the incident per the organization's harassment policy (Correct answer)
- Wait to see if the victim reports it first
Correct answer: Report the incident per the organization's harassment policy
Bystanders have an ethical duty to report harassment according to established workplace policies.
Question 7: Why is maintaining accurate records considered an ethical responsibility for office administrators?
- Because it reduces the workload of supervisors
- Because inaccurate records can mislead decision-makers and harm the organization (Correct answer)
- Because it ensures the administrator gets credit for all work
- Because it prevents employees from taking sick leave
Correct answer: Because inaccurate records can mislead decision-makers and harm the organization
Accurate records support sound decision-making, legal compliance, and trust within the organization.
COA Ethics & Professional Conduct 3
Which of the following best describes 'ethical relativism' as a challenge in the workplace?