What is mandatory reporting?

• A. A legal duty to report certain misconduct or safety concerns to the regulator or authorities.
• B. A discretionary alert to the board about concerns.
• C. An optional note to the employer.
• D. A public press release requirement after incidents.

Answer: (A)

Mandatory reporting is a legal obligation that requires professionals to report certain misconduct or safety concerns to regulators or authorities. It isn’t a discretionary internal notice or an optional note to the employer, nor is it a public press release. The duty is mandated by law and carries potential penalties if you fail to act. The goal is to protect public safety by ensuring serious issues are promptly reviewed by the appropriate authority, not kept within the organization. Channels and timeframes are defined by statute, and the specifics vary by field and jurisdiction.