How would you handle this?
A colleague misses an important deadline and asks you to say you delayed their part because they are afraid of your manager. You like them, but the statement would be untrue.
The situation
A colleague misses an important deadline and asks you to say you delayed their part because they are afraid of your manager. You like them, but the statement would be untrue.
Recommended Response
B. Refuse to lie, but offer to help them explain the delay and plan the recovery.
This protects your integrity while still offering support.
Context matters. This is a recommendation for the situation described, not a rule for every interaction.
Explore every response
A. Take the blame once because they are stressed.
This may help them today, but it puts your reliability and honesty at risk.
B. Refuse to lie, but offer to help them explain the delay and plan the recovery. (Recommended)
This protects your integrity while still offering support.
C. Tell the manager immediately that the colleague tried to make you lie.
Escalation may be needed if this is a pattern, but a first response can be a clear refusal.
D. Avoid the colleague until the deadline problem passes.
Avoidance leaves the false request unresolved and may still pull you into the issue.
E. Ask them to put the request in writing before deciding.
This may make them reconsider, but it can also seem tactical rather than direct.
Why is B the recommended response?
Understanding this situation
You can support a colleague without taking false responsibility. The strongest response separates help from dishonesty.
Another reasonable perspective
Escalation is reasonable if they pressure you, retaliate, or have asked others to lie before.
Practice. Speak. Improve. — Spekero Playground
