An Ethical Dilemma in Disability Manage

An Ethical Dilemma in Disability Management Bob was a machinist with a large company. His job was a physical one, which required some lifting. In June of 2002 he and another man lifted a particularly heavy piece of machinery onto a workbench. Bob mentioned that he had felt his back “crack”, but finished his shift. The next day he called in sick to work and went to a Doctor. After an extended period of time off, his Doctor told Bob that he could not continue with his present occupation as he had a permanent back injury. After many meetings with a back- to -work case worker and other professionals, it was decided to send Bob back to school for a two year program that he professed interest in, and that he could do even with his back injury. Because his injury had happened at work, it was decided that he would receive a living allowance, all his tuition and school supplies would be compensated, and any medical expenses would be paid. After Bob had been going to school for two months, his case officer Peggy asked Bob to come to her office so she could see how things were progressing at school. Bob appeared to be working hard at his studies, was enthusiastic about his schooling, and seemed grateful for the chance to get the education he needed in order to re-enter the workplace. Bob, who is a single parent with custody of his two children, brought his nine-year-old son Jason with him to the meeting. Bob briefly left the office to make a phone call, and Jason casually mentioned to Peggy that “Last year when Dad fell on the ice, he hurt his back so bad he stayed in bed for a week”. Bob had signed numerous papers stating that his back problem started with his injury at work, and Peggy is presented with the ethical dilemma of whether or not to make inquiries about what Jason has told her. My personal values are that all good values, ethics and principals stem from truth. There can never be any good results when dishonesty of any sort is involved, and no

References: Avis, W., Drysdale, P., Gregg, R., Neufeldt V. & Scargill, M. (1983) Gage Canadian Dictionary, 606 Certification of Disability Management Specialists Commission. (February 2001) Code of professional conduct. 1. Gilman, S. (January, 2004) Beyond reproach: the incumbent’s bind Retrieved June 28, 2006 from Josephson Institute of Ethics (2006). The seven-step path to better decisions. Retrieved June 28, 2006 from http://www.josephsoninstitute.org?med?med-4sevensteppath.htm National Institute of Disability Management and Research. (1999). Occupational standards in disability management. Port Alberni, B.C: Author