What is the appropriate response to an ethics concern after documenting it?

• A. Ignore the concern.
• B. Discuss with unrelated departments.
• C. Escalate to the appropriate channel according to the ethics policy or code of conduct.
• D. Publicly share the concern with customers.

Answer: (C)

Escalate through the designated channel in the ethics policy or code of conduct. After documenting the concern, the next step is to route it to the appropriate place—such as a supervisor, compliance or ethics office, HR, or a dedicated hotline—so it can be reviewed and investigated by the right people. Following the formal process helps ensure a consistent, auditable, and legally sound handling of the issue, and it protects you from retaliation by keeping the matter within established procedures. Ignoring it, sharing it with unrelated departments, or making it public bypasses due process, risks confidentiality, and can create greater harm or liability.