Choose one word that substitutes the highlighted words.

Some employees exhibit open refusal to obey orders. 

Defiance 

The word that best substitutes the highlighted words is defiance.

• Obedience is the act of following orders or rules.
• Adherence is the act of sticking to something, especially a rule or principle.
• Defiance is the open resistance to authority or to any opposing force.
• Compliance is the act of conforming to a rule or request.