How to Answer: What would you do if a coworker asked you to lie for them or help them steal?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Starbucks job interview.
35. What would you do if a coworker asked you to lie for them or help them steal?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Starbucks employs over 200,000 employees worldwide, which means they have seen their share of unethical employee behavior. The interviewer would like to know how you would react if put in an awkward and/or harmful situation like being asked by a co-worker to steal with them or cover up a lie. The answer to this question may seem fairly obvious, but ensure that you are aware of the different ways a co-worker may attempt to engage in unethical behavior:
- Timecard fabrication, also known as 'buddy punching' where you punch in for a coworker who is not present
- 'Borrowing' money from the cash register
- Taking items from the lost and found
- Stealing data or documents containing trade secrets
- Taking supplies for personal use or adding personal items to supply orders
Express that you would never engage in this type of behavior and discuss how you would report this type of situation. If this has happened to you in the past, discuss what happened and how you handled it.
Written by Rachelle Enns on December 26th, 2021
Answer Example
"Stealing is wrong, no matter which way you slice it. I have zero tolerance for unethical behavior and would report the situation immediately. In a previous role as a server, I noticed that a coworker was attempting to incorrectly report her hours for financial gain. When I realized this was happening, I reported this behavior immediately to our supervisor."
Written by Rachelle Enns on December 26th, 2021