If a colleague asks you to lie to protect them, what should you do?

• A. Lie to protect them.
• B. Ignore the request.
• C. Refuse; tell the truth; report the request, and uphold integrity.
• D. Fund the lie with department resources.

Answer: (C)

The key idea here is acting with integrity when faced with pressure to deceive. The best course is to refuse the request, tell the truth, and report what happened through the proper channels. Lying to protect a colleague may seem protective in the moment, but it undermines trust, can enable wrongdoing, and may create legal or organizational consequences for you and others. By sticking to the truth and escalating the situation, you uphold ethical standards and give your organization a legitimate path to address the issue.

If you’re unsure how to report, follow your organization’s policy—talk to a supervisor, contact ethics or compliance, or use the official reporting mechanism. Keep a record of what was said and when. It’s appropriate to tell your colleague you can’t participate in deception and that you’ll seek guidance on how to handle their request.