Ethical Situation Informal
Given the clarity of resolving ethical issues APA, (2002) described in 1.04 Informal Resolution of Ethical Violations suggests violations by another psychologist an attempt to resolve the situation with the individual prior to a formal resolution is the recommendations of APA codes (Fisher, 2003). Counseling in a residential setting with co-workers who are not specifically trained in psychology, frequently it becomes necessary to remind them of the ethics of working with mentally, emotionally behavioral adolescents placed in a residential setting. One specific example, which I encountered just weeks ago, and reported to the director of the neural behavioral unit, is of inappropriate boundaries. Because many of these adolescents also experience sexual inappropriateness, personal contact with these clients's requires limit setting and teaching appropriate boundaries. In this, case one of the workers approached one of the client's giving him a bear hug; after I spoke with him once before regarding the ethics of personal contact with the clients. Informal resolutions in this situation appeared ignored. After speaking with the clinical director, this individual given a written notice and again explained the ethical dilemma that could occur in this type of situation, such as the client could report sexual misconduct, although those were not the intentions of this worker.
When considering formal resolutions “1.02 Conflicts between Ethics and Law, Regulations, or Other Governing Legal Authority” (Fisher, 2003, p. 34). The situation I described is not resolved informally, although this individual is not a psychologist, the ramifications of his actions will fall upon the agency and possible legal recourse. When violations occur in any type of community, and or residential setting the liabilities are within in the agencies to teach ethical boundaries and becomes the responsibility of doing no harm to any client. The ethical concern in this matter is this person gained the knowledge of appropriate boundaries when I spoke with him, yet continued to violate. I find myself in a position though the director gave him a written warning, of wondering if the warning is enough or should this person's position be terminated. There is such a fine line between interpretations and perceptions of unethical actions; however, the ethical codes of conduct speak for themselves if applied.
References
Fisher, C. B. (2003). Decoding the ethics code: A practical guide for psychologists. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
APA Ethics Code. (2002) Ethical standards. Resolving ethical issues. Retrieved June 14, 2008, from http://www.fapse.ulg.ac.be/documents/code2002.pdf
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