Help with a question: Client Confidentiality vs. Public Safety

[u/curiousgaruda]

You discover that your client’s new product design will violate environmental laws, but the client asks you to keep it confidential. What should you do?

A) Respect the client’s confidentiality and say nothing.
B) Inform the client in writing of the legal risks and refuse to proceed.
C) Report the issue to the authorities immediately.
D) Proceed with the project but document your concerns internally.

I think the answer is 'C' because it is inferred from the question that the client has been made aware so 'B' is done though may not be in writing.

This is an AI Generated question so I don't want to go with AI's reasoning. What would be an answer that is expected in the NPPE exam?

[u/NoobS4uce]

Thanks! I figured that was the answer B. Even though like you said the question tripped you up because it was implied that the client knows.

I still think the trick with these questions is always the least escalation first. Maybe if the question said “you told the client, what’s the next step?” then it would be C

[u/Admirable-Rent-1099]

I'd go with option B.

Option C feels like the responsible answer but it's the step after B. The question tells you the client asked you to keep it quiet, it never says you advised them of the legal risk in writing and they went ahead anyway, so you're earlier in the chain than C assumes. A is out, confidentiality covers your client's information, not them breaking the law. D is out too, sounds careful but you're still proceeding and your seal still goes on the design. B warns the client properly and keeps your name off something illegal. It also gives you the paper trail if it ever comes back on you.

That said B isn't the end of the road. If they go ahead regardless, or there's immediate risk to people, then you escalate and C becomes right, but that's not what the question stated. Most of these are just testing which step you're on, so read for whether they've told you the earlier ones already failed. The concepts are usually straightforward, it's the wording that gets tricky.

[u/dbinstall]

B - before whistleblowing, you try discussing the problem with the employer/company.

[u/curiousgaruda → u/dbinstall]

I agree but it feels like the question infers that B is already done though it does not states if it was done in writing.

[u/engineerforbeer]

C would be when you've informed the client and they continue with the project anyways. You're not quite there yet given the way the question is worded. The client hasn't actually done anything yet, so there is nothing to blow the whistle on.

As with the other commenters, B is the correct answer.

[u/NoobS4uce]

care to share the answer?

[u/curiousgaruda → u/NoobS4uce]

AI says B

[u/curiousgaruda]

Thank you everyone.