Talk about a situation in your career that tested your ethics. What did you learn from that situation that you can bring to our Human Resources team?
"During my internship, I worked with a strong HR manager that put me to work on a project of blinding resumes and applications that were coming in for their open positions at the organization. The organization had a history of hiring only men for their roles, and it was a new initiative to expand the diversity of their workforce. Within a few weeks of implementing the blinding of information, several hiring managers approached the HR department very mad about this new process. I learned a lot on how to handle this sort of situation by working very closely with the HR manager for the next couple of months."
As an HR professional, you are constantly trying to balance your employer's best interests and its staff of employees. Added to that, you need to maintain compliance with state and federal employment laws. Given this delicate balance, your interviewer knows that you have been tested ethically at some point in your career, and they'll be looking to hear that you will bring a strong ethical mindset to their organization. Before your interview, think of a time where you were faced with an ethical dilemma. As you answer this question, talk about what the issue was, how you mentally worked your way through it, and what the great result was in the end. Whether you talk about a legal issue, a confidentiality breach, or an employment fairness practice, you will sell your interviewer on your ability to be non-partial and clear-minded.
"A couple of years ago, I had an employee approach me with some verbal abuse and bullying issues that were happening with their department supervisor. The employee reiterated several times that he had taken this issue to the plant manager, but only to have it ignored. The employee was hesitant to approach me in fear of losing their job, but I assured them that whistleblower law would protect them. It was first important for me to talk to many people and gather as much information as possible. In this process, I also talked with the plant manager about what had been brought to them. In finding that a long period of verbal abuse by a supervisor had taken place, we set forth immediate disciplinary action against the supervisor. More importantly, I worked with the plant manager on reassigning the employee that approached me to a new department to help curb any retaliation by others in the department. The ethical dilemma for me personally thinking about how to make this situation right for every person involved, and I truly believe those results were achieved."
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