Question

You are at work and soon must leave for a class at school. You realize that you don't have a pen. You help yourself to a pen in the office supply closet. Later, you discover that the pen belongs to a colleague. You want to refuse. What is the most ethical course of action? a) Keep the pen; your colleague probably won't notice. b) Return the pen to your colleague and apologize for the mistake. c) Ignore the situation; it's just a pen. d) Replace the pen with a new one and pretend nothing happened.

Answer 1

Answer: b) Return the pen to your colleague and apologize for the mistake.

Step-by-step explanation:

Returning the pen to your colleague and apologizing for the mistake is the most ethical course of action because it shows honesty, respect, and accountability. It is important to acknowledge and rectify the situation when you realize that you have taken something that belongs to someone else without their permission. By taking responsibility for your actions and making amends, you demonstrate integrity and uphold ethical values.