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Sera is an electrical engineer employed by a solar energy startup. She is involved in a major design upgrade for a government project. One evening, she discusses some of the design challenges with her friend, who works at a competing firm. Months later, Sera finds out that the competitor submitted a very similar design in another tender.
The startup launches an internal inquiry, and Sera admits she had casually mentioned some elements during a personal chat. Though unintentional, her disclosure results in financial loss for her company, and she is dismissed for breaching the code of ethics.
What should Sera have done?