Final answer:
Derek should use an executive summary format for his report on employee attitudes, as it aligns with business communication standards for managerial audiences.
Step-by-step explanation:
Derek should use an executive summary format for his report about the attitudes of custodial employees on the job. The audience for his report, the Physical Plant management, would expect a concise, yet comprehensive overview of his findings in a professional and formal format. This type of document is standard in business communications when reporting to management, as it provides a synthesized view of detailed information, enabling decision-makers to quickly grasp the essence of the report without delving into the minutiae. Business documents are typically written in a formal style, void of slang and informal language, following a standardized form that ensures clarity and professionalism.