The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Based on standard workplace safety and security protocols, the correct answers are:
- A co-worker is suddenly acting erratically and keeps saying people are following him.
- A co-worker is seen taking a box marked CONFIDENTIAL to his car.
Here is a detailed explanation of why these two scenarios require reporting.
The two behaviors that must be reported are those that present a clear and immediate risk to workplace safety, security, or the company’s legal and financial standing. The first reportable scenario involves a coworker exhibiting a sudden, significant change in behavior, specifically acting erratically and expressing paranoia. This is a serious concern for workplace safety. Such behavior could be a sign of a severe mental health crisis, extreme stress, or a substance abuse issue. These conditions can be unpredictable and may pose a danger to the individual, their colleagues, and the organization. Reporting this behavior to a manager or Human Resources is a crucial step in exercising a duty of care. It allows the company to intervene appropriately, provide support or resources to the employee in distress, and mitigate any potential safety risks before they escalate.
The second mandatory reportable action is seeing a coworker taking a box marked “CONFIDENTIAL” to their car. This represents a major security breach and a potential theft of company property or data. Confidential materials can include sensitive client information, trade secrets, financial records, or private employee data. The unauthorized removal of such items from the workplace is a serious violation of company policy and could have severe legal and financial consequences for the business. It could also violate data privacy laws. All employees have a responsibility to protect company assets and information, making the immediate reporting of this activity to security or management an absolute necessity.
The other two scenarios do not typically meet the threshold for mandatory reporting. A coworker complaining about the boss is unprofessional and can contribute to a negative atmosphere, but it is not usually a direct safety or security threat. Similarly, an employee reading a “Guns & Ammo” magazine during their personal lunch break is, in itself, a harmless activity. It does not indicate a threat without other corroborating behaviors.
