You’ve learned to maintain integrity while identifying ethical issues related to personal behavior. While at the community office on a weekend, you notice a fellow volunteer, Ryan, putting small office stationery items in their pockets while looking around to see if anybody is watching. They fail to realize that you’ve seen them. You notice Ryan pocket another stationery item from the cupboard the next day. You tell them you know they pocketed the item and ask them to return it. They put the item back and walk away embarrassed.

Question

You aren’t sure how to proceed with Ryan. After completing your voluteer work, they approach you with an anxious expression on their face. They tell you they just have a school project and that they need these stationery items. They confess that they wanted to take only a few items to help with their project and that they would return the things once their project is over.

What do you make of this confession from Ryan?
Question 4 options:

It causes an ethical dilemma that they're pocketing office items, but it's not a major crime as these are just simple stationery products.

It doesn't concern you as they didn't take any of your stuff.

Ryan saying that they would return the items after their project is over makes it harmless.

Irrespective of the reason, a theft is a crime.

Answer 1

The most appropriate response to Ryan's confession is:

Irrespective of the reason, a theft is a crime.

This response recognizes the importance of ethical behavior and integrity in any context, including volunteer work. Regardless of Ryan's intentions or the perceived triviality of the items taken, taking items from the office without permission is still considered theft. Addressing this behavior is important not only for maintaining the integrity of the community office but also for helping Ryan understand the consequences of their actions.