What would you do if a coworker asked you to help steal?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Focus Your Answer On
1st Answer Example
2nd Answer Example

The interviewer would like to know how you would react if put in an awkward or potentially harmful situation like being asked by a coworker to steal with them. Theft can occur in many ways in the workplace and is not necessarily reserved to blatantly taking a product. Ensure that you know the different ways a coworker may try to pass stealing off as 'no big deal.' Some examples include:

- Timecard fabrication, also known as 'buddy punching,' where you punch in for a coworker who is not present
- 'Borrowing' money from the cash register
- Falsifying vendor or expense accounts
- Taking items from the lost and found
- Stealing data or documents containing trade secrets
- Taking expensive office supplies like ink or adding personal items to supply orders
- Billing insurance companies for tests that were not performed

Of course, you already know how to answer this question! Express that you would never engage in this type of behavior and discuss how you would go about reporting this type of situation. If this has happened to you in the past, you can talk about the case without providing your coworker's name.

Focus on letting the interviewer know that you are an honest person with morals and ethics. Make sure they understand that you would never condone or participate in this type of behavior and would report it to your supervisor.

"If a coworker asked me to help steal, I would be appalled. I do not condone theft of any kind, and I would let my coworker know that. I would report the incident to my immediate supervisor and document the encounter."

"If a coworker asked me to help them steal anything from the company, I would tell them no and immediately report them to my supervisor. I cannot tolerate people who think it is okay to steal from others."