Which of the following is associated with a strong work ethic?

Punctuality is closely associated with a strong work ethic because it reflects an individual's respect for their commitments and the time of others. When someone consistently arrives on time or meets deadlines, it demonstrates reliability and accountability, which are essential traits in a professional setting. A strong work ethic involves a dedication to one's responsibilities and a commitment to producing quality work consistently; being punctual supports this by ensuring that tasks are completed in a timely manner.

While flexibility, teamwork, and independence are also valuable traits in the workplace, they do not directly encapsulate the foundational aspects of a work ethic as clearly as punctuality does. Flexibility indicates an ability to adapt, teamwork emphasizes collaboration, and independence highlights self-sufficiency—each beneficial in different contexts but not as directly tied to the core attributes of reliability and accountability that punctuality embodies.