V. Giamusso Lesson 3
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
Pennsylvania State University *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
860
Subject
Philosophy
Date
Apr 3, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
6
Uploaded by BaronParrot4117
Lesson 3
Navigating Ethical Dilemmas
Veronica Giamusso
1 | P a g e
Introduction:
In the field of human services, professionals often encounter complex ethical dilemmas that require careful consideration and a systematic approach to decision-making. This essay will analyze a case involving Joe, a long-time employee of a human service organization for the physically disabled, who faces a challenging situation while bathing a multiply handicapped individual. When Joe was first hired, he signed a document agreeing that he would never abuse or leave a client alone if assigned to one-on-one supervision. He understood that if he did, he would most likely be terminated. Using the five steps of the problem-solving approach to ethical decision-making, we will explore how Joe should respond to the crisis unfolding before him.
Step 1: Identify the Problem:
Joe is confronted with a dual responsibility – providing one-to-one supervision for a physically disabled individual in the bathtub and responding to the urgent cries for help from a pregnant staff member being attacked by a violent resident in the hallway. The problem is two-
fold: ensuring the safety of the handicapped individual in the bathtub who is unable to sit upright
alone for longer than a few seconds and responding to the immediate threat posed to the pregnant
staff member. The stakeholders in this situation would be Joe, his client, Joe’s coworker, and the neighbor. If Joe leaves his client to help his coworker, Joe’s client could be seriously harmed or die. If Joe does not help his coworker and stay with his client as he promised to do, his coworker 2 | P a g e
and her unborn baby could be seriously injured or killed. The violent neighbor could also be injured, as well as Joe. Who does Joe have a duty to his client, his coworker, himself, and possibly the neighbor? According to Budd, 2005, “The ethics of duty is an important foil for the ethics of utility because in the former, actions are judged on the nature of the action; in the latter, actions are judged on the consequences without regard for the action itself.” Step 2: Identify possible solutions:
Several ethical issues arise in this situation. First and foremost, Joe must grapple with the obligation to provide care and one-to-one supervision for the handicapped individual, as agreed upon in the document he signed 12 years ago. Simultaneously, he faces an ethical duty to intervene and help the pregnant staff member in immediate danger, considering the potential harm to her and her unborn child. Balancing these conflicting obligations raises questions about prioritization and the potential consequences of neglecting one responsibility over the other. If Joe were to follow the Kantian moral philosophy, then he would act out of a sense of duty and not out of personal desire or consequences. (Budd, 2005, p. 71) Step 3: Assess each alternative solution:
Joe must weigh the principles of beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. Beneficence requires him to prioritize the safety and well-being of both the handicapped individual and the pregnant staff member. Non-maleficence demands that Joe avoid causing harm to either party through his actions or inactions. Justice necessitates fair and equitable treatment of all involved 3 | P a g e
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
parties, considering their vulnerabilities and needs. (Varkey, 2020) Joe can take his client out of the tub and place him in an area where he will be safe, and Joe can go and help his coworker. That would minimize harm to both individuals. He could also try calling for help or calling 911. This would protect his job, and he would not leave his patient, but it may still cause harm to his coworker if no one gets to her in time. Step 4: Choose the best possible solution:
Joe must look at every possible solution and what would be the best possible outcome of each option. There may not be a clear choice. If he leaves his client in the tub to help his coworker, he risks harming his client. Plus, he also risks getting terminated. If he stays with his client, he risks his coworker and her unborn child being harmed. If he helps his coworker and harms the neighbor, he also risks getting in trouble with law enforcement.
Step 5: Consult your gut. How does it feel:
Joe must make a timely decision and act upon it. Joe’s best course of action is to quickly remove his client from the tub and secure them safely, so no harm comes to them, and then go and help his coworker. He cannot leave the client in the tub and act quickly to help his coworker;
he did take an oath not to cause harm to his client. After implementing his chosen course of action, he should continuously evaluate the outcomes to ensure that no harm is caused to either party. If necessary, adjustments can be made to the plan to address emerging issues or unforeseen
consequences.
4 | P a g e
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Joe's ethical decision-making process in this complex situation requires carefully balancing responsibilities and considering the principles that guide human services professionals. By following the five steps of the problem-solving approach, Joe can navigate this ethical dilemma and strive to achieve the best possible outcome for both the handicapped and pregnant staff members. Ultimately, the goal is to uphold the principles of beneficence, non-
maleficence, and justice while addressing the immediate needs of those in crisis. Joe kept his client safe while also helping his coworker, which was the best possible outcome in an impossible situation. 5 | P a g e
References
Budd, J. W. (2004). 4. In employment with a human face
(pp. 66–81). essay, Cornell University Press. Budd, J. W., & Scoville, J. G. (2005). 3. In The Ethics of Human Resources and Industrial Relations
(1st ed., pp. 61–88). essay, Labor and Employment Relations Association. Varkey, B. (2021). Principles of clinical ethics and their application to practice
. Medical principles and practice : International Journal of the Kuwait University, Health Science Centre. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7923912/ 6 | P a g e
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help