Rory, an administrative assistant, is in charge of petty cash for a local law firm. Normally, about $300 is kept in the petty cash box. When Rory is short on cash and needs some for lunch or to pay her babysitter, she sometimes takes a few dollars from the box. Because she is in charge of the box, nobody knows that she takes the money, and she always replaces it within a few days. Is rory's behavior ethical?

Ethical behavior is a moral conscience, attributed to good conduct and individual procedures, is to act with self-determination, self-control and orderly in any situation and fundamental at all times of life.

Rory's behavior does not match the concept of ethical behavior. Ethical behavior is related to actions that involve good conduct and individual control. Even if Rory returns the money from the cashier, she's taking money that is not hers without the permission of the real owner. Taking things that are not yours without permission is not good conduct and therefore is not ethical behavior.