Ethical Dilemmas
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School
Farmingdale State College *
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Course
6417
Subject
Philosophy
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
docx
Pages
3
Uploaded by ElderEagle2814
Professor Profeta
Ethical Dilemmas
1. You suddenly recognize Fred’s name. He is an acquaintance of yours. You have mutual
friends and you often see him at social get-togethers. How should you handle this?
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Firstly, being that Fred is an acquaintance of mine, the first issue would be as follows:
The purpose of Ethics is to “help social workers identify relevant considerations when
professional obligations conflict or ethical uncertainties arise”- bullet point two on the
Ethics purpose itself. Also, a key value for the code refers to Integrity- a social worker
should behave in a trustworthy manner. This issue also of Fred being an acquaintance as
well as seeing him with mutual friends and at get-togethers calls to the following issues
as stated in the code:
o
1.01-Commitment to clients- the client should be fully informed that this is an
ethical issue and thus we can’t continue together.
o
1.06- part a conflict of Interest- in which social workers should inform clients
when a potential conflict of interest arises and consider the client and their
interests at the forefront.
o
Also part c of 1.06- states, “Social workers should not engage in dual or multiple
relationships with clients or former clients in which there is a risk of exploitation
or potential harm to the client”
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I would seek the consultation of a work supervisor but I don’t think it would be ethical to
keep Fred in the group or see him at all because it is such a conflict of interest.
2. Before working at Horizons, you worked at the local child protection agency. You recognize
Mary’s name because she was investigated for child neglect. How do you handle this situation?
- Seeing as I know Mary from the former agency I worked at and recognize her name
because she was investigated for child neglect it arises an issue with the following part of the
codes:
o
Once again it speaks to the key value of integrity seeing as integrity would be, to
be honest, and saying because of my past with Mary- this group with her and I
would be unethical.
o
1.03- Informed consent- telling the client about how you know her and giving her
the option to withdraw and understand why this would be unethical.
o
1.06- Conflicts of interest- a- “Social workers should be alert to and avoid
conflicts of interest that interfere with the exercise of professional discretion and
impartial judgment.”
o
4.05-Impairment-a-“ Social workers should not allow their problems,
psychosocial distress, legal problems, substance abuse, or mental health
difficulties to interfere with their” this is an issue with personal bias.
- It would go against the code to continue with this client. I would see if she can go to
another group because of the personal bias and my duty as a mandated reporter as well as
a social worker.
3. During her intake, Ms. Smith is told that she will be leading the group. Without a scheduled
appointment, she comes to the agency before the group to introduce herself to you. She finds you
in the hallway and insists on giving you an expensive watch as a gift. How do you handle this
situation?
- This issue involves the issue such as :
o
1.03-Informed consent- to go over this fully with this client seeing as she doesn’t
seem to understand that her coming to see me without an appointment and trying
to give me a gift is completely unethical and against the code. I would go over the
informed consent with her and let her know this is one of the many rules that need
to be followed and here dropping by unannounced is not ok.
o
1.07- Privacy and confidentiality-d-social workers should inform clients, to the
extent possible, about the disclosure of confidential information and the potential
consequences, when feasible before the disclosure is made” in terms of full
disclosure she should know that there are certain rules as a client and social
worker that we both must follow.
o
1.13- Payment of service- d- “Social workers should avoid accepting goods or
o
services from clients as payment for professional services”- she is offering you a
watch as a gift and that is not allowed in the code of ethics at all.
-There should be a clear line between social worker and client- a clear boundary needs to be set
and this is not being done in this case. I would not drop this client but I would be sure to inform
her that this behavior is not okay, and I would not accept the gift.
4. Beth comes to the agency before the group and explains privately to you that she doesn’t want
to attend the group. She is coming because her boyfriend is strongly urging her to do so. How
would you handle this situation?
- This situation would bring the following ethical issues into play:
o
1.03-informed consent-
once again it calls for all of the information under
informed consent- the client doesn’t want to be a part of the group, therefore, it is
my job as the social worker to tell her about her rights and tell her it is one
hundred percent her decision to stay and go to group or not- it is no one else’s
decision but her’s. Also as a social worker, I have a responsibility to my client and
inform her
o
2.01- respect- it clearly states that I am to treat my client with respect and treat her
with utmost care- to do so she must understand the truth which is she has to want
to get help- she doesn’t have to stay if someone else is making her come to the
group.
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I would tell my client that I would love to have her if she wants to talk and be involved.
However, I would flat out tell her that this is her decision and that if she doesn’t want to
come, she doesn’t have to. She is fully capable of making her own decisions and should
do so.
5. David sends you a friend request on Facebook. How do you handle this situation?
- This situation refers to the following:
o
1.03- informed consent- once again the client must read fully about their rights
and our confidentiality and what is and what is not appropriate- sending a friend
request is not appropriate.
o
1.06- conflict of interest- a- it is our job as social workers to be on guard about
any conflict of interest and put a stop to it- if it hasn’t escalated. Sending a friend
request may not seem like a big deal but in the long run, it is and it needs to be
nipped in the bud immediately to avoid any conflict that may arise.
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I would have a talk with this client and let them know that via our privacy code and even
with informed consent – it is not acceptable to them to do this. Once again there needs to
be a clear boundary between us and that should be explained.
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