The NASW Code Of Ethics In Social Work

Social workers should base practice with respect to knowledge, observationally based learning that is significant to social work, hard-working attitudes and work ethics. The NASW Code of Ethics does not contain standards that bear directly on the issue of government contribution in private groups. The code contains wide proclamations about social workers' commitment to advance the general welfare of society (standard 6.01); avoid and wipe out victimization of any individual, including mental incapacity (standard 4.02); guarantee that all individuals have entry to the assets and administrations they require (standard 6.04[a]); and act to grow decision and open door for abused gatherings and individuals (standard 6.04[b]).
As Bertha Reynolds

observed more than fifty years ago, "In the history of unionization in social work, it is impossible to separate the two notions of protecting one's own condition as a worker and safeguarding the right to treat clients ethically" (1956:237). Accordingly, if social workers take an interest in participating in a strike, their customers could be denied important services. From this point of view social workers might have real job concerns and complaints, yet strikes that outcome in the withdrawal or termination of services to powerless clients are unacceptable. Some contend, notwithstanding, that if social workers cross picket lines and provide services to clients, their activities might undermine the union's endeavors to address huge issues identified with wages and benefits. This conclusion is consistent with the standard in the NASW Code of Ethics that states that "the general expectation that social workers will keep information confidential does not apply when disclosure is necessary to prevent serious, foreseeable, and imminent harm to a client or other identifiable person" (standard 1.07[c]).
Even NASW, through its Ad Hoc Committee on Advocacy, has acknowledged that a strike or job action may be necessary to improve the quality of care for clients, even though clients may be harmed in the short run: “To what extent does one risk injury to his clients’ interests in the short run on behalf of institutional changes in the long run? In addition, in its standards for personnel practices, NASW (1975) explicitly opposes “laws or policies that prohibit strikes by employees.” It is not uncommon for social workers to feel caught in the middle of labor-management disputes and some believe that abandoning clients in order to pursue employment-related interests would be unconscionable. Some social workers believe that because of the profession’s altruistic mission they are particularly vulnerable to exploitation by management. Thus many practitioners believe that social workers must be willing to strike and engage in vigorous job action in order to avoid exploitation (Reamer 1988).
The NASW Code of Ethics includes several standards stipulating social workers' obligation to confront wrongdoing: Standard 2.11(a).

When necessary, social workers who believe that a colleague has acted unethically should take action through appropriate formal channels (such as contacting a state licensing board or regulatory body, an NASW committee on inquiry, or other professional ethics committees)." A significant number of social workers assume management positions during their careers, typically in the form of department directors and agency administrators. Social work administrators sometimes find themselves in the midst of a difficult ethical dilemma when conflict exists between line staff, including other social workers. "The NASW Code of Ethics contains one standard that has direct bearing on the use of deception: "Social workers should not participate in, condone, or be associated with dishonesty, fraud, or deception" (standard 4.04). A principle utilitarian, obviously, who has an alternate perspective may contend that whistle blowing is vital, in light of the fact that this activity might raise moral benchmarks all through the social work field. Social workers should take adequate measures to discourage, prevent, expose, and correct the unethical conduct of colleagues. Social workers who believe that a colleague has acted unethically should seek resolution by discussing their concerns with the colleague when feasible and when such discussion is likely to be

productive.