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

Situational and behavioural questions are often asked in interviews to gain insight into your personality, ethics, and honesty. The interviewers would like to know how you would react if put in an awkward or potentially harmful situation, like being asked by a colleague to steal with them. Theft can occur in many ways in the workplace and is not necessarily reserved for blatantly taking an item. Ensure that you are aware of the different ways a colleague 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 colleague who is not present
- 'Borrowing' money from the cash register or petty cash
- Falsifying vendor or expense accounts
- Taking items from the lost and found
- Stealing data or documents containing confidential data
- Taking expensive office supplies like ink or adding personal items to supply orders
- Billing patients for items/services not used

Of course, you already know how to answer this question! Express that you would never engage in this behaviour and discuss how you would report this type of situation. If this has happened to you in the past, you can talk about the case without providing the colleague's name. Assure the interviewers know that you are an honest person with morals and ethics. Ensure they understand that you would never condone or participate in this behaviour and would report it to your supervisor immediately.