Ohio Civil Service Exam Situational Judgment and Work Ethics 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A coworker shares confidential client information with you outside of work necessity. What should you do?
- Listen carefully and pass it along if useful
- Remind the coworker about confidentiality policies and refrain from sharing the information further (Correct answer)
- Report the coworker to the media
- Ignore the situation entirely
Correct answer: Remind the coworker about confidentiality policies and refrain from sharing the information further
Civil service employees must protect confidential information and remind peers of their obligations.
Question 2: You make an error that affects a public record. What is the most appropriate next step?
- Try to quietly fix it without telling anyone
- Immediately inform your supervisor and correct the record through official procedures (Correct answer)
- Blame the error on a coworker
- Wait to see if anyone notices
Correct answer: Immediately inform your supervisor and correct the record through official procedures
Transparency and prompt correction of errors through official procedures is an ethical requirement in public service.
Question 3: During a busy period, you are asked to help a department you are unfamiliar with. Your best approach is to:
- Decline because it is outside your normal duties
- Accept and complete tasks using your best judgment without asking questions
- Accept, ask for brief orientation, and complete the tasks to the best of your ability (Correct answer)
- Accept but perform the work at a much slower pace than normal
Correct answer: Accept, ask for brief orientation, and complete the tasks to the best of your ability
Flexibility and a willingness to learn are key civil service values; asking for orientation ensures quality.
Question 4: A member of the public asks you for information that you are not authorized to release. You should:
- Release the information anyway to be helpful
- Pretend you do not know the answer
- Politely explain that you cannot share the information and direct them to the appropriate resource (Correct answer)
- Refer them to a coworker without explanation
Correct answer: Politely explain that you cannot share the information and direct them to the appropriate resource
Protecting restricted information while courteously guiding citizens to proper resources is standard civil service practice.
Question 5: Your supervisor gives you conflicting instructions from those given by another supervisor. What should you do?
- Follow whichever instruction is easier
- Ignore both instructions until they agree
- Ask your direct supervisor to clarify the priority and resolve the conflict (Correct answer)
- Follow the instructions of the higher-ranking supervisor without discussion
Correct answer: Ask your direct supervisor to clarify the priority and resolve the conflict
Seeking clarification from your direct supervisor prevents errors caused by conflicting guidance.
Question 6: Which behavior best demonstrates a strong work ethic in a civil service environment?
- Completing only the minimum requirements of each task
- Volunteering for assignments, meeting deadlines, and maintaining accurate records (Correct answer)
- Avoiding feedback and working independently of team goals
- Prioritizing personal tasks during work hours
Correct answer: Volunteering for assignments, meeting deadlines, and maintaining accurate records
Strong work ethic in civil service means being proactive, meeting standards, and maintaining accountability.
Ohio Civil Service Exam Situational Judgment and Work Ethics 2
A coworker shares confidential client information with you outside of work necessity.
What should you do?