What should employees do if they observe unethical conduct?

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When employees notice unethical conduct, they should report through proper channels and document their concerns. Using established reporting paths—such as a supervisor, human resources, a compliance or ethics office, or an official hotline—ensures the issue is investigated by the right people and follow-up steps are taken. Documenting what was observed, including dates, times, who was involved, and any supporting evidence, creates a clear record that supports the investigation and helps protect the reporter from any retaliation, thanks to formal whistleblower protections.

Choosing to ignore the behavior lets problems fester, damages trust, and can enable further unethical actions. Confronting the person publicly can escalate tension, undermine the investigation, and potentially violate company policies. Waiting for someone else to act places the burden on others and can delay corrective action.