Situational Judgement: Ethics Flashcards

You are assigned to evaluate proposals and realize one bidder is a company owned by your spouse's sibling. What should you do?

Answer: Disclose the relationship and recuse yourself from evaluating that specific proposal

Family relationships create a conflict of interest that must be disclosed and managed through recusal, regardless of your confidence in your objectivity.

You complete a task more quickly than expected and have spare time before your deadline. A personal errand would fit in that window. What is the ethical approach?

Answer: Use the time for additional work tasks or notify your supervisor of your availability

Work time, even when tasks are completed early, should be devoted to organizational duties unless leave is authorized.

A reporter contacts you directly for comment on a sensitive organizational matter. You have relevant knowledge. What should you do?

Answer: Refer the reporter to the designated communications or public affairs office and make no personal comment

Only authorized spokespersons should respond to media inquiries; employees must refer all press contacts to the appropriate office.

You notice that a frequently used process in your team systematically disadvantages employees from a particular demographic group. What is the most ethical response?

Answer: Document your observations and raise the concern with management or the appropriate equity office

Systemic bias must be reported through formal channels so it can be investigated and corrected.

A teammate asks you to cover for their absence by telling the supervisor they are working remotely when they are actually taking an unauthorized day off. What should you do?

Answer: Decline to misrepresent your colleague's whereabouts and encourage them to be honest with the supervisor

Providing false information about a colleague's work status makes you complicit in deception; you must decline and urge honesty.

You are about to leave for another organization and hold knowledge of a sensitive upcoming policy change. A friend at a competitor asks what you know. What is the right action?

Answer: Decline to share confidential information, as your duty to protect it continues until your last day and potentially beyond

Confidentiality obligations extend through the entirety of your employment and often beyond; departure does not release you from them.

You receive praise and a small bonus for a project that succeeded largely due to an overlooked contribution from a junior colleague. What is the ethical thing to do?

Answer: Acknowledge the colleague's contribution to your supervisor and advocate for their appropriate recognition

Professional integrity requires that credit is attributed accurately; you should formally ensure the colleague's contribution is recognized.