A coworker you get on well with quietly tells you they have been making mistakes in work that others depend on, and asks you to keep it to yourself.
What would you do in this situation, and why?
Imagine that speaking up could cost them their job. How, if at all, would this change your response? Explain your reasoning.
What a strong answer covers
- Acknowledges the coworker relationship and their trust, without letting it override the duty to people who depend on the work
- Weighs the concrete risk of harm from the mistakes against loyalty, and lands on a defensible course of action
- Suggests a proportionate first step (e.g. encouraging them to disclose it themselves) before escalating
- In Q2, holds the same ethical line while showing genuine empathy for the personal cost
Model answer to Q1
I’d start by taking what they’ve told me seriously and thanking them for trusting me, because that trust is what lets me help. But I can’t simply keep it quiet, because other people are relying on that work and could be affected by the mistakes. I’d encourage them to raise it themselves — that’s usually the best outcome for everyone and lets them stay in control of how it’s handled. I’d offer to support them in doing that, for example helping them work out what to say or going with them. If they refused and the mistakes were serious enough to cause real harm, I’d explain that I’d have to raise it, and why, so it isn’t a surprise. My aim throughout would be to protect the people who depend on the work while treating my coworker with as much respect and care as the situation allows.