Situational Judgement (Public Sector Scenarios) Flashcards

You discover that a supplier has invoiced your department twice for the same piece of work. What should you do?

Answer: Report it to finance and procurement immediately with full documentation

Duplicate invoicing may be fraud or error — either way it must be reported through formal channels. Informal resolution of financial irregularities is not appropriate.

Your work on a project is praised externally and a think-tank invites you to speak at a public event in a personal capacity. What should you do?

Answer: Seek permission from your department before accepting any speaking engagement

Speaking in a personal capacity on areas related to your work still requires departmental approval. Unauthorised external engagement can breach Civil Service rules.

You are asked to work on a project with a private sector partner. You notice they are cutting corners on a contractual obligation. What do you do?

Answer: Raise the issue with your contract manager and document it formally

Civil servants have a duty to ensure value for money and contractual compliance. Formal escalation ensures it is dealt with appropriately and creates an audit trail.

A senior colleague asks you to adjust figures in a report to make the department's performance look better. What should you do?

Answer: Refuse and, if pressured, escalate to your manager or the Civil Service values framework

Falsifying data is a serious breach of the Civil Service value of honesty. You must refuse and escalate if pressured, using the appropriate whistleblowing channels if needed.

Your team receives positive feedback from a minister's office about a piece of work. Your manager fails to pass this on to the team. What should you do?

Answer: Mention to your manager that sharing positive feedback boosts team morale

Encouraging your manager to share positive feedback is the proportionate and professional response. Going around your manager or sharing information they have chosen not to share is inappropriate.

You are late submitting a piece of work and your manager is waiting. You could submit it now with minor errors or take another hour to perfect it. What should you do?

Answer: Inform your manager of the situation and agree together whether to submit now or take the extra hour

Transparency allows your manager to make an informed decision about quality versus urgency. Acting without informing them removes their ability to manage the situation.