Code of Ethics

This article discusses the importance of a code of ethics in an organization and how it affects decision making. It also talks about the Australian Association of Social Workers' code of ethics and its principles. The article presents a scenario where a social worker has to choose between confidentiality and duty of care towards a colleague and discusses the ethical implications of the decision.

Running Head: Code of Ethics
Code of Ethics

Code of Ethics
Introduction
An association’s code of ethics communicates the larger standards or beliefs which
direct an association's choices and activities when directing tasks and administration
conveyance. A code of morals gives a general comprehension of the moral or good duties that
the administering body, representatives, and volunteers are normal to meet while working for
the association. For instance, a code of morals may incorporate the guideline of the
association acting with genuineness and straightforwardness. The association's code of
morals likewise goes about as an open promise to anybody with an enthusiasm for the
association, especially customers, funders and different partners (Organisation Code of Ethics
and Conduct, 2019). Every organization should follow a proper code of ethics. It helps in
promoting genuine, moral and ethical conduct that include resolving of issue of conflict of
interest which may arise among personal and professional relationship (Ethics and
Compliance Glossary, 2019). There are two important components of the Code of Ethics:
Confidentiality and Duty of Care. The Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) is
a Code, which is a basic document that informs and helps the ethical practice of social
workers. The Code provides the values and responsibilities, which is a basic part of social
work. These components will be discussed in the paper.
A professional environment is one that outcomes in a work environment loaded with
exceptionally skilled, deferential, develop, and responsible representatives progressing in the
direction of a shared objective. It is a sort of working environment that any worker would feel
pleased to take their kids. Professional values include honesty, transparency, reliability,
empathy, and self-awareness. Lisa in this situation should not tell Kate about the HIV+ status
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of Ryan as according to the AASW code of ethics she should be honest with Ryan. Ryan told
Lisa not to tell anyone about his HIV+ status and she should be honest with Ryan as they are
in a professional relationship. Ryan is having a responsibility to tell everything about his
HIV+ status to Kate because in AASW code of ethics it is clearly mentioned that one should
give priority to the need of others. Organizational environment are encompassing from forces
or foundations incorporating a company that influences implementation, activities, and
resources. It consolidates most of the segments that exist outside of as far as possible and can
impact a section of company (Stewart, 2019). In this situation, the organizational
environment will influence the decision of Ryan because Ryan is a good friend of Lisa
outside the workplace hence she should ask him as a friend to tell Kate about his condition so
that Kate should not suffer in the future.
There are various principles and sections of the Australian Association of Social
Workers, which are applicable in this situation. They are-
1. Social work esteems which incorporates regard for an individual, social equity and
expert respectability
2. Ethical practice and decision making
3. Professional boundaries and dual relationship
4. Conflict of interest
5. Principle of confidentiality
6. Responsibility towards colleagues
7. Responsibilities in the workplace
8. Regard, assent, security and audit in research (Australian Association of Social
Workers, 2010)
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In this situation, I agree with Lisa because she knew that Ryan is infected by HIV and this
could risk the life of Kate. It is true that she should respect the confidentiality between her
and Ryan but she has a duty of care towards Kate. Nothing is more important than the life of
any person. Confidentiality is not important than a duty of care in this case. If something
happens to Kate because of Ryan then the company will be responsible for Ryan’s action and
it will be against the ethics of any organization. If the management of the company gets to
know about Ryan and Kate then the organization will ask Ryan either to leave the company
or tell about his situation to Kate. Australian Association of Social Workers’ code of ethics
says that there are ethical dilemmas arising when a person is choosing among two alternative
courses of action. It is on the social workers to decide which of the alternative will take
priority. Social workers can take help from various ethical decision making models that can
help them in taking effective judgment (Australian Association of Social Workers, 2010).
In this situation, Ryan should tell everything to Kate as this is the best option available to
him. It will benefit all the concerned parties to the issue. There are responsibilities of social
workers towards the profession as it is duty of social workers to work with dignity and
integrity, to promote excellence in social work profession, if there is breach of the code then
the appropriate action can be taken, assistance in any kind of investigation and inquiry
(Australian Association of Social Workers, 2010). According to the Code, whenever there is
a conflict of interest for any person then he/she should act unbiased and there should not be
any discretion for anyone regardless of individual, ethnic, religious, communal, economic,
governmental, or organizational factors (Australian Association of Social Workers, 2010).
According to my point of view, if there is conflict of interest then the person should look and
inspect every alternative available. After, he should look for the most vulnerable alternative
after he/she decides not to opt for that alternative. The most vulnerable and have a high
impact. Like in this case, a duty of care is more important than confidentiality. Lisa should
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inform Kate about Ryan’s condition because if she does not then the life of Kate can be in
danger because HIV+ is one of the life threatening diseases. Confidentiality is one of the
important aspects of the business but it is not important than the duty of care in this case. If I
was there in the place of Lisa then I would have informed Kate about Ryan’s disease if he
himself did not tell her.
In this situation there are two scenarios while dealing with the situation, one is from
Lisa’s perspective and another one is from Ryan’s perspective. Both of them should consider
Confidentiality and Duty of Care towards the organization and towards Kate. If I was in the
place of Lisa then I would have informed Kate about Ryan’s situation as Lisa herself wanted
to do but Ryan asks her not tell. She preferred a duty of care over confidentiality. On the
other hand, Ryan did not want to tell about his HIV condition to Kate and he did not allow
Lisa to tell Kate. He opted for confidentiality over a duty of care. I agree with the decision of
Lisa because no matter how much important is the confidentiality. If choosing confidentiality
can risk the life an individual then it should not be given preference. In AASW there are
some rules, regulations and rights are given-
1. A person can be held accountable for his/her unethical conduct like the conduct of
Ryan is unethical.
2. Every person has the right to wellbeing, a duty of care and duty to avoid harm to
others.
3. Having as full and pertinent data as conceivable on the issue on which they will make
choice.
4. Recognition of vital social work values which have clashed.
5. Distinguishing the extent of decision that could be made and the reasoning behind
each to the extent as moral hypothesis, ethical codes, legitimate and normal value
measures, laws, definitive methodologies and social work best practice standards.
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6. being open, dependable, direct, shared what's more, inclusion of the important
colleagues in the decision-making procedure, while scrutiny of proper secrecy and
commitment of consideration.
7. Recognizing the dangers and advantages to every one of the gatherings influenced by
the choice.
8. Guaranteeing recognition of important social contemplations and paying
consideration regarding issues of decent variety.
9. Connecting with, where fitting, in interview and supervision to encourage basic
reflection to look at individual and expert qualities, partialities and inclinations
(Australian Association of Social Workers, 2010).
AASW code is a central guide and reference for agents to support regular fundamental
administration. This code empowers various ways of ethics and consistency, empowering
delegates to manage moral quandaries they involvement in regular work. It can in a manner
fill in as appropriate citation, helping laborers to find appropriate data, organizations and
distinctive resources related to ethics inside the affiliation. The social work calling recognizes
that moral predicaments may emerge when a social specialist must settle on a decision
between option strategies, every one of which is bolstered by good contemplations what's
more, every one of which may result in a result that is, somehow or another, unfortunate.
Moral basic leadership is the precise, intelligent procedure by which such difficulties can be
settled. Social specialists will stay mindful of capability that may influence their capacity to
practice proficient carefulness as well as impartial judgment. Sources of these interests
include individual, enthusiastic, scrupulous, social, divine, profound, money related,
organizational, governmental, proficient and hierarchical components. Social workers will be
careful that irreconcilable situations can likewise emerge in connection to automatic
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customers, various customers and classification issues. Consistently, customers' interests
remain a need, with due thought for the individual interests of others.
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Bibliography
(2010). In Australian Association of Social Workers (p. 23).
Australian Association of Social Workers. (2010). Australia.
(2010). Australian Association of Social Workers. In Code of ethics (p. 40).
(2010). Australian Association of Social Workers.
(2010). Australian Association of Social Workers.
Ethics and Compliance Glossary. (2019). Retrieved April 4, 2019, from Ethics and
Compliance Initiative: https://www.ethics.org/resources/free-toolkit/toolkit-glossary/
Organisation Code of Ethics and Conduct. (2019). Retrieved April 4, 2019, from NGO
Service Online:
https://www.ngoservicesonline.com.au/files/pdf/9.3_Organisation_Code_Of_Ethics_
&_Conduct.pdf
Stewart, W. (2019). What is an Organizational Environment? - Definition & Theory.
Retrieved April 5, 2019, from study.com: https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-
an-organizational-environment-definition-theory-quiz.html
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