Final answer:
The correct answer is option 2.The situation where Rita missed an important deadline for her client exemplifies negligence.
Step-by-step explanation:
If Rita missed an important deadline for her client, this situation is an example of negligence. Negligence in the business context occurs when an individual fails to exercise reasonable care, which could be expected in a particular set of circumstances, and that lack of care results in harm or damage to another party.
In many professional and contractual environments, meeting deadlines is a critical component of fulfilling one's duty towards a client. Negligence might have severe repercussions, potentially leading to legal action, depending on the nature of the contract and the implications of the missed deadline. It's important to differentiate between an ordinary mistake, which might be a minor error with limited consequences, and negligence, which implies a failure to act with the prudence and care that an average person would exercise in similar circumstances.
To mitigate such situations, individuals and businesses often have protocols and systems in place to ensure that their obligations are met. This might include project management tools, regular updates, and check-ins with clients. Furthermore, in cases where a deadline might be missed due to unforeseen circumstances, communication with the client is key to managing expectations and finding a solution to minimize the impact of the delay.