Integrity, Ethics and Professional Conduct
Integrity items test whether you will act honestly and consistently when no one is watching and when honesty carries a cost. Core concepts: conflicts of interest, confidentiality, appropriate use of authority, gifts and favours, truthfulness in reporting, and refusing to cover up misconduct - including misconduct by colleagues or superiors.
Common traps: the loyalty dilemma, where covering for a colleague feels team-spirited but is dishonest; the small favour (accepting a gift from a person in custody) that creates obligation; the 'harmless' shortcut that breaches procedure; and the grey-area rationalisation ('everyone does it'). Options that sound compassionate but breach rules - such as bending a visiting rule for a sympathetic reason - are wrong unless there is an authorised process.
Rule of thumb: ask three questions of any option - Is it honest? Is it within my authority? Would I be comfortable if it were documented and reviewed? If any answer is no, the option fails.
Worked example: A colleague asks you to sign a log confirming a check he did not perform. Declining and reporting the request is correct. Signing creates a false record and exposes you to disciplinary action; staying silent makes you complicit. Integrity requires refusal and disclosure through the proper channel.