What would you do if you witnessed a coworker treating another coworker poorly?
Your answer to this question will show the interviewer how you respond to inappropriate behavior and your willingness to stand up for others. However, the question does not specifically state the rank of the coworker. Respond in a way that does not interfere with the department's chain of command.
Also, as a Firefighter, you will witness patients being mistreated by family members and caretakers. If you are willing to stand up for a coworker, you most likely will stand up for those who cannot defend themselves. The interviewer wants to hear about your conflict resolution and problem-solving skills, which are essential skills for Firefighters.
There may be different ways to respond to this question depending on the circumstances. It is best to evaluate the situation and determine if the coworker is actually treating the other poorly or simply joking with the other coworker. There is a level of joking in the fire service, especially with rookie Firefighters. What you may construe as a coworker being treated poorly might only be good-natured fun.
It is best to understand the entire situation before interfering, preferably speaking to both parties separately. You also need to follow the department's standard operating procedures regarding the mistreatment of employees. Explain what you would do if you witnessed a coworker treating another poorly, using an example of how you responded if this is something you have seen in the past.
"I would respond differently depending on the rank of my coworker. If a captain or chief were treating another Firefighter poorly, I would not immediately interfere. I would speak with my coworker in private and see if they wanted to share the problem and ask if I could help. If I witnessed a Firefighter treating another Firefighter poorly, I would step in and ask why they are mistreating this person. We are supposed to be a family, a team, and we do not treat our coworkers like this."
Avoid saying you would ignore the situation or join the coworker treating the other poorly. If you ignore the problem, it shows the interviewer that you avoid conflict and do not have good conflict resolution skills. The department does not want to hire a Firefighter that is meek and backs down when faced with an uncomfortable situation.
Firefighters are faced with conflict daily, and they need to be able to problem-solve. When you step in to mitigate the situation, you show the interviewer that you have strong leadership skills. When coworkers treat each other poorly, it decreases employee morale and creates a hostile workplace. By interfering and helping to solve the problem, it keeps morale high and hostility low.
Firefighters work closely together and build a family with their coworkers. The interviewer wants to hear that you will be a good fit for the team. If you join the coworker that is treating the other poorly, it shows the interviewer you are a bully and not someone they want in their department.
"If I witnessed a coworker treating another poorly, I would watch and listen to determine if they were joking around or not. I know it is common for Firefighters to joke around with each other. If I decided that they were not joking around, I would ask to speak with them privately. I would ask each of them if there was a problem and help resolve the issue. I would reiterate that Firefighters are better than that, and we need to work together as a team and not belittle each other."
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
If I had seen another coworker being treated poorly, I'd walk over and ask what's going on and try to help them resolve the issue by finding maybe a compromise or telling the worker bullying the other worker to stop. If the behavior continued afterward, I'd go to my supervisor, explain the situation, and ask for assistance in helping to resolve the problem.
Amanda's Feedback
This answer highlights your integrity and ability to take the initiative to help resolve conflict, both of which are valuable to any employer. I like that it shows you're willing to do what you can to help before seeking out a supervisor, but that you also know when to ask for help for the good of the team.
Anonymous Answer
If I witness a coworker treating another coworker poorly I would first listen to see if they're actually belittling each other or if they are just messing around. If I felt that they were starting to go too far I would interject myself and diffuse the situation and ask to not make it so personal. We are there to work and be a team, not to belittle each other.
Amanda's Feedback
Well done! This answer shows that you value your team members and would take the initiative to help resolve an issue if you saw someone being treated poorly. You can also consider expanding your answer by stating that if the poor treatment continued or escalated that you'd make a team leader aware.
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