Ethics: Values, Decisions and Dilemmas Jolyn Mikow, Ph.D., LMSW University of Texas at San Antonio

1. Ethics: Values, Decisions and Dilemmas Jolyn Mikow, Ph.D., LMSW University of Texas at San Antonio College of Public Policy School of Social Work

2. What influences your decisions? • Beliefs • Values • Ethics

3. WHAT’S MOST IMPORTANT TO ME ?EXPLORING MY VALUE SYSTEM • ____ LOYALTY: maintaining important connections and commitments • ____ POWER: having authority and influence • ____ INDEPENDENCE: having freedom of thought and action • ____ EDUCATION:continuing growth in knowledge and skills • ____ RECOGNITION: receiving recognition for achievements • ____ EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING: solving emotional problems and maintaining self-esteem • ____ SPIRITUAL WELL-BEING: living according to my spiritual beliefs • ____ PHYSICAL WELL-BEING: taking care of my body • ____ SEXUAL FULFILLMENT: feeling good abut myself sexually • ____ QUALITY MARRIAGE OR RELATIONSHIP: having a marriage or relationship that is a source of love and fulfillment • ____ LOVE: loving and being loved • ____ SUCCESS AND ACHIEVEMENT: being able to do things really well • ____ PLEASURE OR JOY: enjoying the joys and pleasures in my life • ____ FAMILY: maintaining family traditions and background • ____ PARENTHOOD: having and taking care of children as a source of fulfillment • ____ AESTHETICS: having beauty in my surroundings • ____ ACCEPTTANCE: being accepted by people who are important to me • ____ _____________________________________________________ • ____ _____________________________________________________ The above information is taken from the Handbook of Interactive Exercises for Groups

4. Where did I learn about values? Who or What Influenced My Values ? ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ Lesson(s) Learned ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ Positive or Negative Lesson ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ Influence was Strong /Weak? __________________________ Do these Still Influence My Values Today? __________________________

5. WHO’S TO BLAME There is a high school student who is selling marijuana to junior high school kids because he desperately needs money to get the transmission fixed on his car. He needs the car to get to his job as a busboy at the country club. The car he bought, it turns out, had its transmission filled with sawdust, which kept it running just long enough to go beyond the 10 day guarantee given to him by the used car salesman. When confronted, the used car salesman said, “Look, that’s just the way we took the car in. We didn’t check it. We didn’t do anything to it, good or bad. Go see the guy who sold it to me.” The man who sold the car to the used car dealer sold it in a hurry, because he bought a new house in the suburbs and he had to raise the money for the closing costs quickly or his family would have been without a roof over its head. The car he sold was really their second car, and he was going to get around to getting the transmission fixed after they moved and got settled in their new house. But when the closing costs came due, he filled the transmission with sawdust and sold the car to the used car lot for the wholesale book price. The used car dealer cleaned the car up a bit, and sold it to the high school student at the retail book price, making about $85.00 on the deal. The new house buyer said he wouldn’t have done what he did if he hadn’t been desperate, and he blamed the banker for not telling him well in advance what the closing costs would be. The banker said, “Now, if he hadn’t been so cheap, he would have hired a lawyer who knows all about closing costs, but he wanted to save a few bucks and do it himself. We handle too many deals here to be able to keep up with each individual who comes in for a mortgage. Anyhow, he ought to have known that there are always closing costs. But what can you expect from those kind of people? As soon as those types begin moving into their neighborhoods, they rush here to the suburbs like the plague was after them and they don’t stop to think about details like closing costs and mortgage fees, and so on. Well, business is business, and we’re in the business of lending money. We’re not lawyers for those people who don’t even know about buying a home.” Rank the people with 1 being the MOST distasteful and 4 being the LEAST distasteful. Rank the following persons: Would it make a difference if…? High school student _________ __________ Used Car Salesman _________ __________ Home buyer/Car seller _________ __________ Banker _________ __________ Reexamine your rankings and make changes if you need to in light of this new information. Would it make a difference if…. High school student was selling crack cocaine? High school student was selling marijuana to grade school age kids? If used car dealer really knew about the sawdust? Did you change your mind? Why? Why not?

6. Social Work ValuesThere are 6 core values of social work: 1. ___________________________ 2. ___________________________ 3. ___________________________ 4. ___________________________ 5. ___________________________ 6. ___________________________

7. NASW Ethical Standards http://www.socialworkers.org/pubs/code/code.asp 1. _________________________ Commitment to clients Physical Contact Self-Determination Sexual harassment Informed Consent Derogatory Language Competence Payment for Services Cultural Competence & Social Diversity Clients Who Lack Decision-making Capacity Conflicts of Interest Interruption of Services Privacy & Confidentiality Termination of Services Access to Records Sexual Relationships 2. _________________________ Respect Sexual Relationships Confidentiality Sexual Harassment Interdisciplinary Collaboration Impairment of Colleagues Disputes Involving Colleagues Incompetence of Colleagues Consultation Unethical Conduct of Colleagues Referral for Services 3. _________________________ Supervision & Consultation Client Transfer Education & training Administration Performance Evaluation Continuing Education & Staff Development Client Records Commitment to Employers Billing Labor-management Disputes 4. _________________________ Competence Impairment Discrimination Misrepresentation Private conduct Solicitations Dishonesty, Fraud, & Deception Acknowledging Credit 5. _________________________ Integrity of the Profession Evaluation & Research 6. _________________________ Social Welfare Public Participation Public Emergencies Social & Political Action

8. The Four Shoulds • should consider ethical theory and principles, social work theory and research, laws, regulations, agency policies. • should be aware of the impact on their clients’ and their own personal values and cultural and religious beliefs and practices. • should be aware of any conflicts between personal and professional values and deal with them responsibly. • should seek appropriate consultation with an agency or social work organizations, regulatory bodies, knowledgeable colleagues, supervisors, or legal counsel.

9. Understanding Values & Beliefs that may lead to Bias 1. Self-awareness - what do I know about myself? 2. Are my personal values influencing my practice and intervention with clients? Positively or negatively? 3. Do I consider alternatives? 4. Am I willing to try other approaches/change my mind? 5. Do I act on my belief’s? • The 4 E Approach • Explore our own belief’s • Express our belief’s when appropriate • Examine alternatives and consequences • Execute action Two Tips to Consider 1. Prejudices tend toward: race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, SES, politics, and lifestyle. 2. Prejudices tend to diminish with frequent contact.

10. Ethical Issue Priority ChecklistBe sure to consult others throughout the process. 1.Gather all relevant information. 2.Does an ethical dilemma exist? It may or may not. 3.What is your role? Should you be making this decision or should some one else should make the decision? 4.What options, actions or decisions are you considering? A. B. C. 5.      To Prioritize the issues, consider these: Does this option/action: • Threaten or risk someone’s life, physical well bring or chances of survival? • Treat someone in a fundamentally unjust, unfair, or unequal manner &/or violate basic human rights? • Significantly or unreasonably limit someone’s self-determination or autonomy? • Cause someone significant personal distress or economic hardship? • Decrease the quality of life for those of a neighborhood, community or society as a whole? • Cause someone to lose their right to privacy and confidentially? • Involve distorting or withholding the truth from an individual or community? Adapted from: Lowenburg, F. M. & Dolgoff, R. (1996). Ethical Decisions for Social Work Practice. Itasca, IL: F. E. Peacock Publishers.

11. Six Questions PRACTICE SKILLS EXAMPLE 1. Identify the ethical standards at issue._________ __________________________________________ 2. What are the core social work values involved? __________________________________________ __________________________________________ 3. Do you have any personal values or beliefs about this situation?_____________________________________ ____________________________________________ 4. Are there any legal obligations or duties to society or my employer involved?_______________________________ 5. Is there an impact on the clients’ own personal,cultural and religious beliefs and values?__________________________ ________________________________________________ 6. Who should I consult for guidance or help? ____________ ________________________________________________

12. References & Resources • Besharov, D.J. (1986). Child welfare liability: the need for immunity legislation. Children Today, 15(5): 17-20. • Biggs, D.A., & Blocher, D.H. (1987). Foundations of ethical counseling. New York: Springer. • Gusstavsson, N.S. & Kopels, S. (1992). Liability in child welfare. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 9(5): 457-467. • Hepworth, D.H. & Larsen, J. (1993). Direct social work practice. Theory and skills. 4th Ed. CH. 4 Operationalizing the Cardinal Social Work Values. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole. • Kadushin, A. (1992). Supervision in Social Work. 3rd ed. Ethical Dilemmas in Supervision. pp. 498-502. New York: Columbia University. • Kopels, S., & Kagle, J.D. (1993). Do social workers have a duty to warn? Social Service Review, 67(1): 10-26. • Levy, C.S. (1993). Social Work Ethics on the Line. New York: Haworth Press. • Loewenberg, F.M. & Dolgoff, R. (1992) Ethical Decisions and Social Work Practice. 4th ed. Itasca, Illinois: Peacock Publishers. • LRP Publications (Apr 3, 1998). Aids Policy & Law: The biweekly newsletter on legislation, regulation, and litigation concerning AIDS. (215) 784-0860. • Reamer, F.G. (1994). Social Work malpractice & Liability. Strategies for Prevention. New York: Columbia University. • Reamer, F.G. (1989). Liability issues in social work supervision. Social Work, 34(5): 445-448. • Rhodes, M.L. (1986). Ethical dilemmas in social work practice. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul. • Simon, S.B., Howe, L.W., Kirschenbaum, H. (1972). Values Clarification. A Handbook of Practical Strategies for Teachers and Students. New York: Hart Publishing. • Wells, C.C., & Masch, M.K. (1986). Social work ethics day to day. White Plains, NY: Longman.