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.