Problem Solving and Judgment Flashcards

A public servant discovers that a colleague has been submitting duplicate expense claims. What is the most appropriate immediate action?

Answer: Report the concern to a supervisor or through the departmental integrity process.

Reporting integrity concerns through proper channels (supervisor or integrity process) is the appropriate response in the federal public service.

You have four tasks due today: A (noon, 2 hrs), B (3 p.m., 1 hr), C (5 p.m., 3 hrs), D (urgent email reply, 15 min). It is 8 a.m. What is the best order?

Answer: D, A, B, C

D is quick (15 min) and urgent. Then tackle A (noon deadline), B (3 p.m.), and C (5 p.m.) in deadline order.

A citizen calls demanding an immediate answer to a complex question requiring policy research. What is the best response?

Answer: Acknowledge the question, explain research is needed, and commit to a specific callback time.

Acknowledging the caller's need, being honest about the research required, and committing to follow-up demonstrates good judgment and service orientation.

You receive an email from an unknown external sender requesting a list of employee names and contact information. What do you do?

Answer: Do not share the information and verify the requester's identity and authority.

Personal information is protected under the Privacy Act. External requests for employee data must be verified before any information is shared.

During a team meeting, a colleague proposes an approach you believe is incorrect. What is the most professional response?

Answer: Wait until after the meeting and discuss your concern privately with your colleague.

Raising concerns respectfully in private after the meeting is professional and consistent with public service values of respect for people.

Your supervisor asks you to process a file that appears to contain incomplete information. What is the most appropriate action?

Answer: Bring the incomplete information to your supervisor's attention before processing.

Alerting your supervisor to incomplete information before proceeding ensures accuracy and proper process — a core public service value.