An example of professional unethical behavior is:

Question

Options

• AGaining access to an affiliated employee's work email account as part of an officially sanctioned
• BSharing copyrighted material with other members of a professional organization where all
• CCopying documents from an employer's server which you assert that you have an intellectual
• DStoring client lists and other sensitive corporate internal documents on a removable thumb drive

• A
  8% (4)
• B
  14% (7)
• C
  73% (36)
• D
  4% (2)

Explanation

Option C describes unethical behavior because copying documents from an employer's server based on a self-asserted intellectual property claim-without that claim being legally established or officially recognized-is essentially unauthorized appropriation of company assets. A mere assertion of rights does not grant permission; the proper channel for such disputes is legal or organizational recourse, not unilateral action.

Why the distractors are wrong:

• A is ethical because the access is officially sanctioned-that authorization is the key differentiator that makes it legitimate (e.g., an IT administrator resetting an account).
• B is ethical because sharing is limited to members who presumably all have authorization or licenses to access the material.
• D describes a potential security policy violation or risk, but storing documents on a thumb drive isn't inherently unethical-it could be fully authorized. The action lacks clear wrongful intent on its own.

Memory tip: Focus on the word "assert" in option C. Whenever someone asserts a right to justify taking something without proof or authorization, that's a red flag for unethical self-dealing. Legitimate professionals go through proper channels to establish rights, not bypass them.

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