Final answer:
The willful disregard of a supervisor's orders is defined as insubordination. It is a deliberate act and may lead to disciplinary measures. Ensuring compliance with instructions is critical for workplace safety and efficiency.
Step-by-step explanation:
An employee's willful disregard of an order or direction given by a supervisor is known as D. Insubordination. This behavior is characterized by a refusal to obey orders and a lack of submission to authority, which can lead to disciplinary actions. In contrast to the other options, forgetfulness and accidental injury are not deliberate actions, and a heavy workload does not necessarily lead to defiance of instructions.
Looking at Example 4.17, if a safety engineer finds that a significant percentage of accidents, say 35 percent, are caused by employees not following instructions, this underscores the importance of addressing insubordination in the workplace. Such behavior not only affects the insubordinate individual but can also compromise the safety and efficiency of the entire operation.