Which approach best aligns with ethical policy when policy conflicts with law?

• A. Follow higher-order laws and rights, seek supervisor guidance, and document actions taken and conflicts.
• B. Abide by policy at all costs, regardless of legal conflict.
• C. Ignore the conflict and improvise.
• D. Wait for external guidance before acting.

Answer: (A)

When faced with a conflict between policy and the law, what matters most is upholding legal obligations and fundamental rights. The best approach is to follow higher-order laws and rights, seek guidance from a supervisor to confirm the proper course, and document both the actions you take and the conflict you encountered. This combination protects you and others from illegal or rights-violating actions, provides a record for accountability, and helps the organization navigate the disagreement in a lawful, ethical way. Waiting for external guidance can delay necessary compliance; sticking to policy at all costs can lead to illegal or harmful outcomes; improvising or ignoring the conflict risks both legal trouble and ethical harm.