Ethics in

Action: Key
Assessment
By Alicia Fishlock
 The real-life ethical dilemma that my fi eld instructor told me
about happened to her about a year ago when she was
pregnant and about to go on maternity leave. One of her
Case clients dropped a gift off at the front desk for her that ended
up being a baby gift for her soon to be born baby. So, this
Context:
might not seem like too crazy of an ethical dilemma but
Identify when you really look at it, it can be very multi faceted. The
fi rst thing that popped into my head aft er she told me about
The the dilemma were our company ’s policies and procedures. I

Problem remember reading them when I fi rst started my internship

and there was a policy about not being allowed to accept
gift s from clients.
Identify the Potential Issues

The potenti al issues that I can see and what really makes this an ethical
dilemma is that accepti ng a gift from the client could open the door for
unclear or unstable boundaries in the therapeuti c relati onship.
Therapeuti cally it is important that appropriate boundaries are kept
between the client and the therapist; otherwise, you run the risk of
things like transference or counter-transference and the therapy
becoming ineff ecti ve for the client. Another issue is that someone might
mistake this gift giving as alternati ve payment for services or payment
for something else enti rely.
Social Work Values that are compromised
The two Social Work Values that
are compromised by this ethical
dilemma are Dignity & Worth of
a Person and Importance of
Human Relationships
(NASW, 2017).
According to the NASW Code of Ethics (2017),
Dignity & Worth of a Person refers to “Social
workers treat each person in a caring and
respectful fashion, mindful of individual differences
and cultural and ethnic diversity. Social workers
promote clients’ socially responsible self-
determination” (NASW, 2017, para 18). The
Importance of Human Rights states, “Social workers
understand that relationships between and among
people are an important vehicle for change. Social
workers engage people as partners in the helping
process” (NASW, 2017, para 19).
Compromised Values
Continued...

By not accepti ng the gift you could inadvertently send your

client the message that they aren’t worth your ti me or
careful considerati on or that they are not important to
you. The client/therapist relati onship is a relati onship that
should be fi nely balanced at all ti mes because there is
already an unfair balance of power in the therapeuti c
relati onship with the therapist holding that majority of the
power. Another issue with not accepti ng the gift is that we
could potenti ally damage the rapport we’ve built with our
client as well, and as we know, rapport takes ti me to build.
 My biases and personal values that I feel
Examine would interfere with this parti cular ethical
dilemma if I didn’t keep them in check are
Personal A.) the bias I have that accepti ng an

Values & innocent and well-intenti oned gift wouldn’t

be doing the client any real harm. And B.)
Biases the personal value I have that making
someone feel bad is morally wrong.
My Affective Reaction
If I faced with this actual ethical di lemma, I think
that I woul d have an emoti onal reacti on to it. I
would feel guilty i f I had to turn t he gi ft down
and gi ve it back to the cl ient and I would be
really worried about the damage that could
cause. I would also be worri ed about keepi ng the
gift because I wouldn’t want to be inadvertentl y
harming the client by havi ng inappropriate
boundaries or violati ng any company polici es and
procedures. This could aff ect my ethical decisi on-
making if I l et my emoti ons guide me. Instead, I
would consult the NASW Code of Ethics for
guidance.
Who is involved?

In considering who is involved in this ethical

dilemma. It really is just the client and
therapist (me). However, I would include my
supervisor, coworkers, and other
knowledgeable professionals in my ethical
decision-making process.
 T h e N A S W C o de o f E t hi c s ( 2 0 1 7 ) s t a t e s “ E t h i c a l
d e c i s i o n m a k i n g i n a g i v e n s i t u a t i o n m us t
a p pl y t he i n f o r m e d j u d g m e n t o f t he i nd i v i d u a l
s o c i a l w o r k e r a n d s h o u l d a l s o c o n s i d er h o w
t h e i s s u es w o u l d be j u dg ed i n a p ee r r e v i e w

Analysis & p r o c es s w he r e t he et h i c a l s t a n da r d s o f t h e
p r o f es s i o n w o u l d b e a p p l i ed ” ( pa r a 9 ) .
Problem “ E t h i c a l de c i s i o n m a k i n g i s a p r o c e s s . I n
s i t u a t i o n s w h en c o nfl i c t i n g o b l i g a t i o n s a r i s e ,
Solving: The s o c i a l w o r k e r s m a y b e f a c ed w i t h c o m p l e x
e t h i c a l di l e m m a s t h a t h a v e no s i m pl e a n s w er s .
NASW Code of S o c i a l w o r ke r s s ho u l d t a k e i n t o c o n s i d e r a t i o n

Ethics a l l t h e v a l ue s , p r i n c i p l e s , a n d s t a nd a r d s i n
t h i s C o d e t ha t a r e r e l e v a nt t o a n y s i t u a t i o n i n
w h i c h e t hi c a l j u d g m e n t i s w a r r a n t e d . S o c i a l
w o r ke r s ’ d ec i s i o n s a n d a c t i o ns s h o u l d b e
c o n s i s t e nt w i t h t h e s pi r i t a s w e l l a s t h e l et t e r
o f t h i s C o de ” ( N A S W , 2 0 1 7 , p a r a 1 0 ) .
 Ethical Principles
In consulti ng the NASW Code of Ethics there are three ethical principles I found that
apply to this scenario. The fi rst is ethical principle 1.01, commitment to clients , which
states “social workers’ primary responsibility is to promote the wellbeing of clients”
(NASW, 2017). The second is Ethical Standard 1.13, Payment for Services, which states
“Social workers should avoid accepti ng goods or services from clients” (NASW, 2017).
And the third is ethical standard 3.09 Commitment to Employers which implies that
social workers should abide by their employers' policies and procedures (NASW, 2017).
The use of technology doesn’t really apply to this scenario, however, I wouldn’t use
technology to solve this ethical dilemma, such as sending the client a text message.
The Code of Ethics states, “When using technology, social workers should make
disti ncti ons between professional and personal communicati ons” (NASW, 2017).
 The Green County Human Services
Department’s Policies and
Applicable Procedures state, “Staff shall not

laws, policies, accept goods or payment in the

form of gif ts or cash from any
& regulations person enrolled in services”
(GCHSD, 2021).
 1. DETERMINE whether there is an ethical issue or/and dilemma. Is there a conflict of values, or
rights, or professional responsibilities? (For example, there may be an issue of self-determination of
an adolescent versus the well-being of the family.)

2. IDENTIFY the key values and principles involved. What meanings and limitations are typically
attached to these competing values? (For example, rarely is confidential information held in absolute
Essential Steps secrecy; however, typically decisions about access by third parties to sensitive content should be
contracted with clients.)

for Ethical 3. RANK the values or ethical principles which - in your professional judgment - are most relevant
to the issue or dilemma. What reasons can you provide for prioritizing one competing
value/principle over another? (For example, your client’s right to choose a beneficial course of action

Problem could bring hardship or harm to others who would be affected.)

4. DEVELOP an action plan that is consistent with the ethical priorities that have been determined
as central to the dilemma. Have you conferred with clients and colleagues, as appropriate, about the
Solving potential risks and consequences of alternative courses of action? Can you support or justify your
action plan with the values/principles on which the plan is based? (For example, have you conferred
with all the necessary persons regarding the ethical dimensions of planning for a battered wife’s
(NASW-MA, quest to secure secret shelter and the implications for her teen-aged children?)

5. IMPLEMENT your plan, utilizing the most appropriate practice skills and competencies. How will

n.d.) you make use of core social work skills such as sensitive communication, skillful negotiation, and
cultural competence? (For example, skillful colleague or supervisory communication and negotiation
may enable an impaired colleague to see her/his impact on clients and to take appropriate action.)

6. REFLECT on the outcome of this ethical decision making process. How would you evaluate the
consequences of this process for those involved: Client(s), professional(s), and agency (ies)?
(Increasingly, professionals have begun to seek support, further professional training, and
consultation through the development of Ethics review Committees or Ethics Consultation
processes.)
Seek Consultation &
Brainstorm
I w o u l d s e e k c o n s u l ta ti o n f ro m m o r e t h a n o n e i n d i v i d u a l
t o s o l v e t h i s e t h i c a l d i l e m m a i n c l u d i n g my s u p e r v i s o r a n d
t r u s t e d co wo r ke rs , m a k i n g s u re t h a t t h e c o w o r ke rs I
c o n s u l t e d d i d n ’ t h av e a ny d u a l - r e l a ti o n s h i p s o r c o n fl i c t s o f
i n t e re st w i t h t h i s i n d i v i d u a l . W i t h o u t b re a k i n g
c o n fi d e n ti a l i t y, I c o u l d e v e n t a l k t o p r o fe s s i o n a l s o u t s i d e
o f t h e o rga n i za ti o n t o h e l p m e s o l v e t h i s d i l e m m a . Fo r t h i s
e t h i c a l d i l e m m a I re c e i v e d t h e c l e v e re s t p i e c e o f a d v i c e
f ro m l a w e n fo rc e m e n t t h a t h e l p e d m e c o m e t o my fi n a l
e t h i c a l d e c i s i o n . A ft e r d e c i d i n g o n t h i s p o s s i b l e c o u rs e o f
a c ti o n I b ra i n s to r m e d a l l t h e p o s s i b l e o u t c o m e s I c o u l d
t h i n k o f a n d a l t e r n a t e re a c ti o n s t h at t h e c l i e n t m i g h t h av e
t o i t a s we l l a s w h a t t h e c o n s e q u e n c e s o f t h i s d e c i s i o n
w o u l d b e a n d co m p a re d t h e o u t c o m e s a n d c o n s e q u e n c e s t o
o t h e r a l t e r n a ti v e d e c i s i o n s t o m a ke t h e d e c i s i o n t h a t
w o u l d c a u s e t h e l e a st a m o u n t o f h a r m a n d d i s c o m fo r t fo r
my c l i e n t .
 Enumerate Consequences
Ke e p i n g t h e g i f t : U n p r o f e s s i o n a l B o u n d a r i e s , b r e a k i n g t h e r u l e s ( p o l i c i e s ) , c l i e n t c o u l d e x p e c t

something in return.

G i v i n g t h e g i f t b a c k : U p s e t t i n g t h e c l i e n t , r u i n i n g ra p p o r t , a r o a d b l o c k i n e ff e c t i v e t r e a t m e n t

Another alternative: Is there an alternative that neither upsets the client nor breaks the

rules?
Conclusion: My Ethical Decision

The best possible course of acti on that I came up with would

be not to turn away the gift explicitly, but to let the client
know that you appreciated the gift , explain to the client that
it is against policy to keep the gift , and ask the client if it is
okay if you donate the gift to a charitable organizati on in your
name. The charitable organizati on that I came up with was an
organizati on that helps families with low income by giving
them free Christmas gift s for their children. This way I am not
hurti ng the client by completely turning down the gift , nor am
I breaking the rules by keeping the gift for myself.
Key Principles &
Documentation

T h e ke y p r i n ci p l e s t h at I wo u l d d o cu m e nt a l o n g w i t h
t h i s e t h i c a l d e c i s i o n a re t h e t w o I m e nti o n e d b e fo re :
d i g n i t y a n d wo r t h o f a p e rs o n a n d t h e i m p o r t a n c e o f
h u m a n re l a ti o n s h i p s . T h i s e t h i c a l d e c i s i o n re s p e c t s t h e
d i g n i t y a n d wo r t h o f t h e c l i e nt a n d a c k n o w l e d g e s t h e
i m p o r ta n c e o f g i ft - g i v i n g i n h u m a n re l ati o n s h i p s w h i l e
a l s o e n s u r i n g t h at t h e t h e ra p i st i s n ’ t v i o l ati n g t h e
N A SW c o d e o f e t h i c s o r t h e e m p l o ye rs ’ p o l i ci e s a n d
p ro c e d u re s . A d d i ti o n a l l y, aft e r t h e d e c i s i o n h a d b e e n
fo l l o w e d t h ro u g h w i t h , I w o u l d e va l u at e t h e o u t co m e s
a n d a s k my s e l f i f a ny t h i n g , w h at c a n I d o b e tt e r t h e
n ex t ti m e ?
Reflection
In refl ecti ng on this decision-making process,
I think this was a great practi ce and two
things that I will take from this experience
are to 1.) Always consult other professionals
when faced with an ethical dilemma and 2.)
Do not be afraid to ask for help with ethical
dilemmas because everyone I approached was
super open to helping and off ering some of
their own personal experiences as guidance.
References

Hepworth, D. H., Rooney, R. H., Rooney, G. D., & Strom-Gottfried, K. (2017).

Empowerment series: Direct social work practice theory and skills (Tenth Ed).
Cengage Learning.

National Association of Social Workers [NASW]. (2017). NASW code of ethics.

Retrieved June 3, 2023, from
https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English

NASW. (2017). Standards for Technology in Social Work Practice. National

Association of Social Workers. https://www.socialworkers.org/Practice/NASW-
Practice-Standards-Guidelines/Standards-for-Technology-in-Social-Work-Practice

NASW-MA. (n.d.). Essential steps for ethical problem-solving . NASW Massachusetts

Chapter. https://www.naswma.org/general/custom.asp?page=100