The NASW Code Of Ethics
Unethical behavior leads to problems in agencies. Analysis of agency culture and ethical concerns proves valuable when solving problems. Theoretical frameworks discover root causes of behavior and serve as evidence for appropriate solutions. The NASW Code of Ethics outlines methods to confront unethical behavior. Problem solving combines analysis, theoretical frameworks, and the NASW Code of Ethics to arrive at a solution.
Agency Context
Demographics
Goodwill Career Connections in Asheville, North Carolina helps community members overcome barriers to employment. Career Connections (CC) has four staff members, and a BSW intern. Staff members work with clients on job applications and resumes in a computer lab. An average of 30 clients …show more content…
per day use CC.
Assessment of client System and community resources
CC is a well known organization, and a hub for the Asheville community. Staff connect many unemployed, low income clients to resources in the community. Resources include: food, housing, clothing, transportation, and drug rehabilitation services.
A large non-profit model, CC does not rely on outside sources for funding. Goodwill's retail outlet sells used goods at discounted prices and the profits from the retail outlet fund CC. CC staff help clients with job applications to the retail outlet, but do not have the authority to hire.
Assessment of client
Danielle Evans entered CC for help with a job application to the retail outlet of Goodwill. Danielle is a white middle aged transgender female. Unemployed, she lives with her mother and does not have a computer at home. She went through a basic computer lab orientation before using CC. Uncomfortable, shy and hesitant when asking questions, she stood at the back of the group of ten during orientation.
Identification of Key Players
Cal Hilsman
I worked at CC as a social work intern for my BSW field placement, and am the protagonist in this case. In my mid 20's, I am a heterosexual, non religious, and liberal male. As an intern I helped clients with job applications and resumes and conducted orientation to review rules and regulations of CC with clients. I had a desk in the corner of CC where I worked on emails, paperwork, and followed up with clients.
James Brown
James is a White heterosexual male in his mid 40's and is Christian. A full time Career Specialist, he helps clients in the with job applications and resumes. Married with four children, he needs his job to support his family. James does not have a college degree, is hard working, and friendly to most clients.
Sara White
Sara is a White heterosexual female in her mid 30s and married with no kids. Receiving a recent promotion, she directs three Career Connections in Western North Carolina. With the promotion comes more responsibility: she is busy. She has a human services degree and acts as my field supervisor. In her positon she has the power to hire, fire, and ultimate say over operations in Career Connections.
Seth Green and Chris Thompson
Seth and Chris are White heterosexual males in their mid 40's. They are both Career specialists, with conservative political views. Neither have a social work education.
The dilemma
After she completed orientation, Danielle began her job application and James helped. Danielle checked the box for female on the application though her birth sex was male. I approached, asked them how they were doing, and James responded, "He I mean she is doing well." The comment alarmed me, and James had a funny smirk on his face. Danielle was silent, and it was an awkward moment. Though the three of us felt uncomfortable, we continued on with work.
Later, when CC closed for the day, I completed paper work at my desk. James, Seth, and Chris met in the computer lab for their daily "boys club" meetings. In boys' club meetings these three staff members made jokes and engaged in casual conversation. Sara was not in the lab, and I overheard James make jokes regarding his interaction with Danielle. He said, "I didn't know what to call it." Seth and Chris laughed, and spoke of "stupid transgender bathroom laws". While they joked, I sat at my desk in silence.
Analysis of situation and cultural implications
James's comment made Danielle uncomfortable because he didn't respect her identity.
The comment seemed like a personal attack rather than a mistake. James, Seth and Chris's jokes stem from conservative backgrounds and heterosexual privilege. They construe identities different from their own as funny and strange. James's religion, Seth's conservative beliefs, and Chris's demeaning attitude towards women created the culture of the boys club. Rooted in conservative backgrounds and heterosexual norms, the culture of the boys club did not align with Danielle's identity as a transgender woman.
Analysis of individual and group concerns
I felt nervous to advocate for Danielle due to fear of being outcast by staff. Sara's busy new job position deterred me from approaching her; I did not want to waste her time. I felt concerned about turning the supervisor against the boys club and ruining the friendly dynamic of CC staff. I knew James depended on his job to support his family: if I told Sara would he get fired?
Analysis, ethical …show more content…
concerns
Goodwill does not allow for personal values to affect professional treatment of clients. As a social worker I had a commitment to clients, social justice, and colleagues (NASW, 2008). Danielle's well being, and her comfort in CC was essential in my commitment to clients (NASW, 1.01, 2008). Social justice involved advocating for the Danille's rights as member of a vulnerable population (NASW, 2008). My commitment to colleagues meant treating them with respect, and understanding their views.(NASW, 2.01, 2008). I did not know how to fight for Danielle's rights and respect my colleagues.
Three proposed ways to handle the dilemma
Solution number one
I seek social work consultation from my professor right away. This is ethical as I am a BSW student so I may speak of the agency outside of the agency. My professors has many years of experience in the social work field. Her a competence is greater than my own, thus she will best know the next immediate step.
Solution number two
Confront James, Seth, and Chris to discuss their comments and behavior. Explain how I see personal values impact their professionalism. Elaborate on my obligation as a social worker to fight for Danielle's rights. At the meeting I present information on gender pronouns, the difference between sex and gender, and trans violence.
Solution number three
Meet with Sara and explain in a vague manner that there was staff confusion with a transgender client. I propose to facilitate a diversity training workshop at the staff meeting the next day. The workshop will focus on transgender populations and separation of personal and professional values.
Chosen Intervention
Solution number two is the best intervention. According to the NASW Code of Ethics, I speak directly with colleagues regarding my concerns with unethical conduct (NASW, 2.11, 2008). This solution address their unprofessional jokes and comments, and encourages inclusion. With an emphasis on education and not criticism, I present information about transgender populations. Education and discussion will broaden the boys' club's perspective. The meeting aims to increase sensitivity and awareness to the challenges of transgender populations. James's job is secure because Sara is not involved, and the friendly staff dynamic in CC remains. I aim not to change their personal views, rather I ask they respect clients in the workplace.
Theoretical Framework
An ecological perspective shows multiple levels of influence that shape the boys' club's behaviors (Cite).
At an individual level they are conservative middle aged men. An interpersonal lens highlights their family and social groups as heterosexual and conservative people. Institution, community, and policy inherently influence these men's beliefs (cite). They live in a conservative community and work at a Christian founded institution. The dilemma with Danielle occurs amidst North Carolina's political debate over bathroom laws.
Lack of exposure to transgender populations impacts the boys' club's social identity. Danielle's identity is funny to them, because it is different from anything they know. Their community, institution, and state policy all promote heterosexism and conservative beliefs. Larger systems encourage discrimination against Danielle; she was abnormal to the boys' club.
Conclusion
James and the boys club treated Danielle inappropriately, and their personal values interfered with their professional behavior. A thorough analysis of agency culture and ethical implications influenced my solution. Guided by the NASW Code of Ethics and the ecological perspective, I decided to confront the boys' club to engage in an educational discussion. I am obligated to fight for social justice and stand up for vulnerable populations as a social
worker.
Agency Context
Demographics
Goodwill Career Connections in Asheville, North Carolina helps community members overcome barriers to employment. Career Connections (CC) has four staff members, and a BSW intern. Staff members work with clients on job applications and resumes in a computer lab. An average of 30 clients …show more content…
per day use CC.
Assessment of client System and community resources
CC is a well known organization, and a hub for the Asheville community. Staff connect many unemployed, low income clients to resources in the community. Resources include: food, housing, clothing, transportation, and drug rehabilitation services.
A large non-profit model, CC does not rely on outside sources for funding. Goodwill's retail outlet sells used goods at discounted prices and the profits from the retail outlet fund CC. CC staff help clients with job applications to the retail outlet, but do not have the authority to hire.
Assessment of client
Danielle Evans entered CC for help with a job application to the retail outlet of Goodwill. Danielle is a white middle aged transgender female. Unemployed, she lives with her mother and does not have a computer at home. She went through a basic computer lab orientation before using CC. Uncomfortable, shy and hesitant when asking questions, she stood at the back of the group of ten during orientation.
Identification of Key Players
Cal Hilsman
I worked at CC as a social work intern for my BSW field placement, and am the protagonist in this case. In my mid 20's, I am a heterosexual, non religious, and liberal male. As an intern I helped clients with job applications and resumes and conducted orientation to review rules and regulations of CC with clients. I had a desk in the corner of CC where I worked on emails, paperwork, and followed up with clients.
James Brown
James is a White heterosexual male in his mid 40's and is Christian. A full time Career Specialist, he helps clients in the with job applications and resumes. Married with four children, he needs his job to support his family. James does not have a college degree, is hard working, and friendly to most clients.
Sara White
Sara is a White heterosexual female in her mid 30s and married with no kids. Receiving a recent promotion, she directs three Career Connections in Western North Carolina. With the promotion comes more responsibility: she is busy. She has a human services degree and acts as my field supervisor. In her positon she has the power to hire, fire, and ultimate say over operations in Career Connections.
Seth Green and Chris Thompson
Seth and Chris are White heterosexual males in their mid 40's. They are both Career specialists, with conservative political views. Neither have a social work education.
The dilemma
After she completed orientation, Danielle began her job application and James helped. Danielle checked the box for female on the application though her birth sex was male. I approached, asked them how they were doing, and James responded, "He I mean she is doing well." The comment alarmed me, and James had a funny smirk on his face. Danielle was silent, and it was an awkward moment. Though the three of us felt uncomfortable, we continued on with work.
Later, when CC closed for the day, I completed paper work at my desk. James, Seth, and Chris met in the computer lab for their daily "boys club" meetings. In boys' club meetings these three staff members made jokes and engaged in casual conversation. Sara was not in the lab, and I overheard James make jokes regarding his interaction with Danielle. He said, "I didn't know what to call it." Seth and Chris laughed, and spoke of "stupid transgender bathroom laws". While they joked, I sat at my desk in silence.
Analysis of situation and cultural implications
James's comment made Danielle uncomfortable because he didn't respect her identity.
The comment seemed like a personal attack rather than a mistake. James, Seth and Chris's jokes stem from conservative backgrounds and heterosexual privilege. They construe identities different from their own as funny and strange. James's religion, Seth's conservative beliefs, and Chris's demeaning attitude towards women created the culture of the boys club. Rooted in conservative backgrounds and heterosexual norms, the culture of the boys club did not align with Danielle's identity as a transgender woman.
Analysis of individual and group concerns
I felt nervous to advocate for Danielle due to fear of being outcast by staff. Sara's busy new job position deterred me from approaching her; I did not want to waste her time. I felt concerned about turning the supervisor against the boys club and ruining the friendly dynamic of CC staff. I knew James depended on his job to support his family: if I told Sara would he get fired?
Analysis, ethical …show more content…
concerns
Goodwill does not allow for personal values to affect professional treatment of clients. As a social worker I had a commitment to clients, social justice, and colleagues (NASW, 2008). Danielle's well being, and her comfort in CC was essential in my commitment to clients (NASW, 1.01, 2008). Social justice involved advocating for the Danille's rights as member of a vulnerable population (NASW, 2008). My commitment to colleagues meant treating them with respect, and understanding their views.(NASW, 2.01, 2008). I did not know how to fight for Danielle's rights and respect my colleagues.
Three proposed ways to handle the dilemma
Solution number one
I seek social work consultation from my professor right away. This is ethical as I am a BSW student so I may speak of the agency outside of the agency. My professors has many years of experience in the social work field. Her a competence is greater than my own, thus she will best know the next immediate step.
Solution number two
Confront James, Seth, and Chris to discuss their comments and behavior. Explain how I see personal values impact their professionalism. Elaborate on my obligation as a social worker to fight for Danielle's rights. At the meeting I present information on gender pronouns, the difference between sex and gender, and trans violence.
Solution number three
Meet with Sara and explain in a vague manner that there was staff confusion with a transgender client. I propose to facilitate a diversity training workshop at the staff meeting the next day. The workshop will focus on transgender populations and separation of personal and professional values.
Chosen Intervention
Solution number two is the best intervention. According to the NASW Code of Ethics, I speak directly with colleagues regarding my concerns with unethical conduct (NASW, 2.11, 2008). This solution address their unprofessional jokes and comments, and encourages inclusion. With an emphasis on education and not criticism, I present information about transgender populations. Education and discussion will broaden the boys' club's perspective. The meeting aims to increase sensitivity and awareness to the challenges of transgender populations. James's job is secure because Sara is not involved, and the friendly staff dynamic in CC remains. I aim not to change their personal views, rather I ask they respect clients in the workplace.
Theoretical Framework
An ecological perspective shows multiple levels of influence that shape the boys' club's behaviors (Cite).
At an individual level they are conservative middle aged men. An interpersonal lens highlights their family and social groups as heterosexual and conservative people. Institution, community, and policy inherently influence these men's beliefs (cite). They live in a conservative community and work at a Christian founded institution. The dilemma with Danielle occurs amidst North Carolina's political debate over bathroom laws.
Lack of exposure to transgender populations impacts the boys' club's social identity. Danielle's identity is funny to them, because it is different from anything they know. Their community, institution, and state policy all promote heterosexism and conservative beliefs. Larger systems encourage discrimination against Danielle; she was abnormal to the boys' club.
Conclusion
James and the boys club treated Danielle inappropriately, and their personal values interfered with their professional behavior. A thorough analysis of agency culture and ethical implications influenced my solution. Guided by the NASW Code of Ethics and the ecological perspective, I decided to confront the boys' club to engage in an educational discussion. I am obligated to fight for social justice and stand up for vulnerable populations as a social
worker.