Social workers take on a variety of responsibilities that should
ultimately serve their clients' best interests. They try to abide by the code
of ethics from professional organizations like the National Association of
Social Workers or the International Federation of Social Workers as a way to
guide their actions. As in any human services profession, social workers may
face a number of ethical dilemmas in their practice. An ethical dilemma
involves a conflict between two or more ethical principles.
Right to Self-Determination
One of the guiding principles of social work is respect for the
client's right to self-determination. This principle means that the client is
ultimately in charge of making his own decisions and finding solutions to
problems, regardless of whether a social worker agrees with his course of
action. A social worker may provide guidance and help clients explore their
options, but she may not allow her own opinions and personal biases to
influence the client. This is a difficult dilemma that is created by the social
worker's desire to act in the client's best interest and the need to respect
his right to act in a way that he feels is best.
Confidentiality
Another common ethical dilemma encountered by both novice and
experienced social workers is the right to confidentiality versus the right to
self-determination, especially in cases of suicidal clients. Social workers
must respect a client's right to privacy and confidentiality, and they may not
disclose information about a client without his prior, written consent. Social
workers must also respect a client's right to self-determination, that is, his
right to choose his preferred course of action. But in cases of suicidality or
the threat of harm to another person, a social worker is obligated to break
confidentiality to protect her client and the public.
Differences of Morals and Values
All social workers have their own internal value system and set of
morals. Despite their best efforts to keep their feelings in check and to
respect differences, social workers are often confronted with situations in
which their values and morals conflict with those of their clients. For
example, a social worker who holds certain religious or moral values about
abortion may face an ethical dilemma when trying to assist a teen client who
becomes pregnant and wishes to have an abortion.
Dual Relationships
Engaging in dual relationships - meaning having a friendship or
romantic relationship with a client - is forbidden by the social work code of
ethics. And once a social worker terminates contact with a client, the
relationship technically is over. A social worker may find herself in the same
social situation or, for example, in the grocery store with a former client and
his family. The social worker cannot simply ignore the client, yet at the same
time, she may not know how far to take their interaction. These are examples of
common ethical dilemmas many social workers face that are difficult to resolve
and require professionalism, courtesy and good judgment.
Administrative Dilemmas
Not all ethical dilemmas in social work involve direct client
contact. According to social work professor Frederic G. Reamer in an article
for "Social Work Today," social workers employed in administrative
roles may also come up against a number of challenging ethical dilemmas. For
example, directors of human services agencies may need to make difficult
decisions regarding the allocation of funds or agency resources. The decision
to provide funds to one program and to cut funding from another is just one
example of a stressful and trying ethical dilemma social work administrators
face.
