A co-op student suspects a colleague's expense claim is padded. The first step in responding is to:
A co-op student suspects a colleague's expense claim is padded. The first step in responding is to:
Answer
Clarify the facts — what exactly was claimed, when, and could it be a slip
Options - A. Clarify the facts — what exactly was claimed, when, and could it be a slip - B. Report the claim to the professional body before anyone can alter it - C. Confront the colleague in the team meeting so that there are witnesses - D. Do nothing until the padding has been proved beyond any doubt Why - A. Correct — step 1 is establishing what happened, including whether it is a misunderstanding, before any rule is consulted or anyone is told. - B. External reporting is the last step, after internal channels. Going there first treats a possible slip as proven fraud. - C. A public confrontation accuses rather than describes and skips every internal step. It is neither proportionate nor professional. - D. Certainty is not the trigger; the facts are. Waiting for proof lets a real breach continue and is the classic way "clarify" turns into "ignore".
Business Ethics (CNX v3.1) ch 36; Smith 10.2.1 (grievance line); concept map C16