What principle is breached when a subordinate reports a problem directly to a higher-ranking officer?

The principle that is breached when a subordinate reports a problem directly to a higher-ranking officer is unity of command. Unity of command is a key organizational principle that ensures each employee reports to only one supervisor. This structure promotes clear lines of communication and accountability, allowing for effective management and decision-making.

When a subordinate bypasses their immediate supervisor to report directly to a higher-ranking officer, it disrupts this principle. This action can lead to confusion, undermine authority, and potentially create conflicts within the chain of command, as it might be perceived that the immediate supervisor is not capable of handling issues appropriately.

In this context, maintaining unity of command ensures that all issues are filtered through the appropriate levels of management, allowing for coherent and unified responses to problems within the organization. The other principles mentioned, such as division of labor, span of control, and command tactics, while important in their own right, do not specifically address the hierarchical reporting structure that unity of command enforces.