Have you ever been advised by a fellow employee or supervisor to lie about a situation? How did you handle this ethical dilemma?
"Yes, I have been asked to lie on the job before. In a previous role, our inventory count was off. My co-worker wanted to go home, and he suggested that I lie about our count. I refused to lie, and we stayed late. I would always choose honesty over lying, any day."
"I have never been advised to lie in a situation and would not tolerate being put in such an ethical dilemma."
"I have not been directly asked to lie about anything. I think that is because everyone knows that I would not agree with it."
"As a teacher, I have a moral obligation to set the tone for my students at all times. I would never lie, and I teach my students to do the same."
"Oh goodness, we all know in marketing that this happens all the time. People want to lie about stats, overdo projections, or overpromise on deadlines. I would never cave to that pressure. Aside from being dishonest, it doesn't do anybody any favors in the end."
"I am a firm leader who makes my ethical stance very clear, straight away. I believe this is why I have never been put in an ethical dilemma as you describe."
The interviewer would like to know how you would handle an ethical dilemma. Ethical dilemmas in the workplace will come up from time to time. Assure the interviewer that you can control these types of difficulties with professionalism and poise.
"I have never been told to lie to a fellow employee or supervisor on the job. If I were to be asked to lie, I absolutely would not do that. I am not the type of personality to be pushed around on the job. I will always be myself and keep my integrity first."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
I would never lie on the job. If caught, this could reflect poorly on my supervisor, or my supervisor could turn on me and blame me. I always have the integrity to not lie.
Amanda's Feedback
It's clear that you value honesty. However, this is a situational question that is best answered using an example. If a fellow employee or a supervisor has ever asked you to lie, briefly discuss that situation. What did they want you to lie about? How did you respond? If you refused based on your ethics, how did they feel about your refusal?
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