You are an independent contractor. The due date for your current project falls right after your vacation, which means you are going to miss a deadline to deliver some of the work to your client. Which of the following statements in a progress report sent before your deadline is most ethical?
A) I anticipate meeting the deadline.
B) Against my protestations, the project manager pressured me to accept an overly aggressive schedule.
C) I did not realize how much my vacation would affect my final tasks on this project. I might need 1-2 extra days to complete everything.
D) I have never missed a deadline with a client.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Choice C is the most ethical because it is honest and transparent with the client about the possible delay in the project delivery. It shows that the contractor takes responsibility for their actions and recognizes the impact of their personal choices on the project. Choice A may be misleading if the contractor is uncertain about meeting the deadline, while choice B puts blame on the project manager and may damage their professional relationship. Choice D is not relevant to the current situation and may come across as defensive or boastful.

You Are an Independent Contractor