During a late-night shift, an Alberta security guard observes an individual attempting to bypass a secured gate. The guard recognizes the individual as an off-duty employee who frequently visits the site. What is the security guard's ethical obligation in this scenario?

Question: During a late-night shift, an Alberta security guard observes an individual attempting to bypass a secured gate. The guard recognizes the individual as an off-duty employee who frequently visits the site. What is the security guard's ethical obligation in this scenario?

Answer options:

• Allow the employee access, assuming their intentions are benign due to their employee status.
• Confront the employee and immediately involve law enforcement for trespassing. ✅ Challenge the individual, verify their identity and authorization, and follow established procedure for unauthorized access, regardless of their employment status.
• Contact the employee's direct supervisor for clarification before taking any action.

Correct answer: Challenge the individual, verify their identity and authorization, and follow established procedure for unauthorized access, regardless of their employment status.

Explanation: A security guard's primary duty is to protect property and maintain security, which includes enforcing access control. All individuals, including off-duty employees, must adhere to access protocols. The guard's ethical obligation is to uphold security procedures impartially, following the principle of 'without favour or ill will' as outlined in professional conduct guidelines.