California State Jobs Exam Workplace Judgment and Scenarios 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A coworker uses a state computer for personal business during work. Most appropriate action?
- Ignore it
- Confront them publicly
- Report to your supervisor (Correct answer)
- Help them hide it
Correct answer: Report to your supervisor
Using state resources for personal business violates policy. Report through proper channels.
State employees must report misuse of government resources. Reporting to your supervisor ensures proper handling.
Question 2: A member of the public becomes verbally aggressive at your counter. Best initial response?
- Match their tone
- Remain calm, acknowledge frustration, offer to help (Correct answer)
- Walk away
- Call security immediately
Correct answer: Remain calm, acknowledge frustration, offer to help
De-escalation: remain calm, show empathy, redirect toward a solution.
Calm demeanor, acknowledging frustration, and offering help resolves most situations without escalation.
Question 3: Your supervisor asks you to do something you believe violates a regulation. What should you do?
- Complete it without question
- Refuse and file a complaint
- Respectfully express concern and ask for clarification (Correct answer)
- Complete it then report supervisor
Correct answer: Respectfully express concern and ask for clarification
Respectfully raise the concern. The supervisor may have additional context.
Direct communication gives the supervisor the opportunity to clarify, correct, or explain. Escalate to HR if they insist.
Question 4: An 'urgent' email from 'IT' asks for your login credentials. What should you do?
- Respond with credentials
- Forward to supervisor and actual IT to verify (Correct answer)
- Click links to check legitimacy
- Reply asking for details
Correct answer: Forward to supervisor and actual IT to verify
Likely phishing. Legitimate IT never requests passwords via email.
Do not reply or click links. Report to supervisor and IT department to protect the organization.
Question 5: A colleague appears under the influence of alcohol at work. Most appropriate action?
- Offer coffee
- Report to supervisor immediately (Correct answer)
- Confront them publicly
- Ignore unless in your group
Correct answer: Report to supervisor immediately
Impairment is a safety issue. Report to your supervisor.
Supervisors can initiate reasonable suspicion assessments. The agency's EAP provides confidential help.
Question 6: A colleague takes credit for your idea in a meeting. How should you handle it?
- Say nothing
- Interrupt and accuse them
- Privately speak with them after the meeting (Correct answer)
- Send a group email calling them out
Correct answer: Privately speak with them after the meeting
Address privately and professionally to preserve working relationships.
A private, respectful conversation allows correction without public embarrassment. If it continues, escalate to your supervisor.
California State Jobs Exam Workplace Judgment and Scenarios 2
A coworker uses a state computer for personal business during work.
Most appropriate action?