Which of the following best describes employee discount abuse?

Employee discount abuse refers to the inappropriate or unauthorized use of discounts provided to employees, which typically are intended as a benefit for their employment with the company. Sharing discounts with non-employees directly violates the purpose of the discount program, as it allows those who are not part of the organization to access benefits meant for employees alone. This represents a significant breach of trust and company policy, often leading to financial loss.

The other choices may involve misconduct but do not encompass the essence of employee discount abuse as accurately as sharing discounts with non-employees. For example, using a discount without prior approval may not necessarily indicate abuse if the discount is still within company policy guidelines. Similarly, receiving discounts on investigations or making unauthorized purchases can be problematic, but they do not directly relate to the misuse of employee discounts in the same severe manner as sharing them with outsiders. Thus, the choice that best captures employee discount abuse is sharing discounts with non-employees.