Judgement Test Question 77 – A colleague says the workload is affecting them

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Read the scenario and rate every action independently. Several actions can receive the same rating.

Practice level: HEO/SEO

Scenario

Sam is the key analyst for a report due in ten days. They tell you they have been working late, are making avoidable errors and cannot continue at the same pace. The team is stretched, but some lower-priority analysis could be delayed and another colleague can help with part of the report. Senior stakeholders expect the deadline to be met. Sam is worried that raising the issue will make them look incapable. You lead the work and need to protect delivery while responding properly to the warning.

Rate the actions

For each action, choose Counterproductive, Ineffective, Fairly Effective or Effective.

Action A

Remove Sam from the report immediately without discussing what support would help and give all their work to the rest of the team.

Rate this action:
CounterproductiveIneffectiveFairly EffectiveEffective

Action B

Arrange a colleague to help Sam during the final week and check progress each day, while leaving all current priorities unchanged.

Rate this action:
CounterproductiveIneffectiveFairly EffectiveEffective

Action C

Tell Sam that everyone is under pressure and ask them to keep going until the report is submitted.

Rate this action:
CounterproductiveIneffectiveFairly EffectiveEffective

Action D

Review the workload with Sam and move or defer lower-priority tasks. Arrange suitable help for the report and update stakeholders on any remaining delivery risk.

Rate this action:
CounterproductiveIneffectiveFairly EffectiveEffective

Click to reveal the answer
  • Action A: Ineffective
  • Action B: Fairly Effective
  • Action C: Counterproductive
  • Action D: Effective

Members can unlock the detailed explanation for all four actions, including why each response helps, falls short or makes the situation worse.

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