Full Answer Section

Examining the Ethical Issues

• Conflict of Interest: The social worker is facing a conflict between their professional obligations to the agency and their personal obligations to their family.
• Overwork and Burnout: The increased workload is leading to exhaustion and distress, potentially affecting the quality of their work.
• Boundary Violations: The director’s requests to stay late are blurring the boundaries between work and personal life.

Thinking About Options and Consequences

• Stay late: This could lead to further burnout, strain relationships with family, and potentially compromise the quality of their work.
• Refuse the request: This could jeopardize their job and potentially harm the child in need.
• Negotiate with the director: This could involve setting boundaries and discussing alternative solutions, such as delegating tasks or adjusting the workload.

Identifying Relevant Ethical Principles and Values

• Service: Social workers should provide services to people in need.
• Competence: Social workers should practice within their areas of competence.
• Integrity: Social workers should be honest and trustworthy.
• Self-Determination: Social workers should respect the autonomy of their clients.
• Confidentiality: Social workers should protect the confidentiality of their clients.

Consulting with Others

The social worker could consult with a supervisor, colleague, or a member of the agency’s ethics committee to get their perspectives on the situation.

Acting: Making a Decision and Taking Action

Based on the analysis, the social worker could decide to negotiate with the director to establish clear boundaries and expectations. They could propose alternative solutions, such as adjusting their workload, delegating tasks, or seeking additional resources. The social worker should also express their concerns about burnout and the impact it is having on their personal and professional life.

Possible conversation with the director:

“I appreciate the opportunity to work at the Grief Center, but I’m concerned that my workload has become unsustainable. The frequent requests to stay late are causing significant stress and impacting my personal life. I’m committed to providing high-quality services to our clients, but I believe that it’s important to maintain healthy boundaries and work-life balance. Could we discuss some alternative solutions, such as adjusting my workload or seeking additional resources?”

Factors Leading to Overwork and Maintaining Boundaries

Several factors might lead someone to work harder without questioning, including:

• Fear of job loss: Individuals may be afraid to speak up or negotiate for fear of losing their job.
• Desire to please others: Some individuals may feel a strong need to please their supervisors or colleagues, leading them to overwork.
• Lack of assertiveness: Difficulty in setting boundaries or expressing needs can contribute to overwork.

Factors that might help someone maintain boundaries include:

• Self-awareness: Understanding one’s own needs and limitations is essential for setting boundaries.
• Assertiveness training: Learning assertiveness skills can help individuals communicate their needs effectively.
• Support from others: Having a strong support network can provide encouragement and guidance.
• Setting clear expectations: Establishing clear boundaries and expectations with supervisors and colleagues can help prevent overwork.

By following the ETHIC model and considering the relevant ethical principles, the social worker can make an informed decision that balances their professional obligations with their personal needs and well-being.