What would you do if a coworker asked you to help steal?
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 engage in illegal activities. When answering questions like this, it's important to explore their values. One of Walgreens Boots Alliance's core values is 'Courageous,' which they define as, "We are bold, honest, and decisive." Under this, the qualities they value are "Acts of bravery. Tough decision-making. Addressing challenges head-on." They spell out their expectations: "Implements Company asset protection procedures to identify and minimize profit loss."
Theft can occur in many ways in the workplace and is not necessarily reserved for 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 hours to clients that they did not work
Of course, you already know how to answer this question! Express that you would never engage in this behavior and discuss how you would report the situation. If this has happened to you in the past, you can talk about the case without providing the coworker's name.
"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."
Focus on letting the interviewer know 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.
You want to avoid saying you would participate in stealing or look the other way if you saw a coworker do something unethical. If the interviewer feels you are untrustworthy, they will not hire you for the position.
"I'd tell them they made a mistake. No second chances there. By asking me to help them steal, they're telling me they're not trustworthy, so I'd know I couldn't trust them either. I'd report the incident before they had a chance to come up with a cover story. Someone like that only thinks of themselves and is out to hurt everyone else."
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