David R. Julian, MSW, LSW, DRCCLicensed Social WorkerC.O.P.S.

Define the meaning of Ethics

Define the meaning of Morals

What is integrity

Ethics Vs. Morals

Current ethical issues

1. You are concerned that a co-worker is lying on her time card. Even though it doesn’t impact you directly, it still makes you angry. You:a) Sneak a peak at her confidential files to find out.

After all, if she is lying, you could save the company a lot of money by getting her fired.

b) Discuss your concerns with your supervisor and let her handle the situation.

c) Pretend you know nothing about it. It really isn’t your business anyway.

2. After making you promise not to tell anyone, a co-worker confides in you that she is being sexually harassed by a superior. You:

a) Keep your promise but approach the person who has been harassing her. You let him know that you won’t stand for this and if he doesn’t stop, she’ll sue.

b) Explain that you can’t keep your promise and report the issue to Human Resources to investigate.

C) Provide her with personal support and keep your promise.

3. Your supervisor asks you to sign off on a report that you don’t really understand. You:

a) Sign it. If your boss asks you, it must be fine.

b) Ask someone with more knowledge to help explain the information in the report. Once you are comfortable with it, you’ll be happy to sign off.

c) Tell your boss that you can’t sign it. If the document is valid, why can’t she sign it herself?

4. Your boyfriend is going on a business trip to London and he invites you to tag along. You really want to go but you don’t have the vacation hours. You:

a) Call in sick for a few days. They can’t argue with the flu.

b) Tell your supervisor about the opportunity and ask if you can take unpaid leave. If not, you’ll just wait until next time.

c) Tell your boss that there was a family emergency and you had to go to London. Hey, it’s half true! This is the kind of opportunity that doesn’t happen every day.

5. A potential client asks a question that, if you tell the truth, will make you lose the sale. You:

a) Tell a little white lie. You need this sale. There’s no way you’re letting it go now.

b) Explain the truth of the matter and offer solutions as best you can.

c) Dodge the issue and try to be vague in your answer. There’s no sense in wasting all the time you’ve already spent with this customer.

The basic concepts and fundamental principles of decent human conduct. It includes the study of universal values, such as the essential equality of all men and women, human or natural rights, obedience to the law of land, concern for health and safety, and increasingly also for the natural environment.

A person’s standard of behavior or beliefs concerning what is and what is not acceptable for them to do.

Expressing a teaching or lesson of right behavior.

A lesson, especially one concerning what is right or prudent, that can be derived from a story, a piece of information, or an experience.

Having integrity means doing the right thing in a reliable way. It's a personality trait that we admire, since it means a person has a moral compass that doesn't waver.

Integrity is a personal quality of fairness that we all aspire to — unless you're a dishonest, immoral scoundrel, of course.

One in four government employees works in an environment conducive to misconduct.

At present, 30% of misconduct goes unreported to management.

Misconduct across government as a whole is high – nearly six in 10 government employees saw at least one form of misconduct in the past twelve months. (Higher in state and local government)

The following forms of misconduct were identified:

Lying to employees

Internet Abuse

Misreporting hours

Improper hiring practices

Misuse of confidential information

Discrimination

Safety violations

Misuse of governmental services

Ethics Morals

What are they? The rules of conduct recognized in respect to a particular class of human actions or a particular group or culture.

Principles or habits with respect to right or wrong conduct. While morals also prescribe dos and don'ts, morality is ultimately a personal compass of right and wrong.

Where do they come from?

Social system -External

Individual –Internal

Ethics Morals

Why we do it? Because society says it is the right thing to do.

Because we believe in something being right or wrong.

Flexibility Ethics are dependent on others for definition. They tend to be consistent within a certain context, but can vary between contexts.

Usually consistent, although can change if an individual’s beliefs change.

Ethics Morals

The "Gray" A person strictly following Ethical Principles may not have any Morals at all. Likewise, one could violate Ethical Principles within a given system of rules in order to maintain Moral integrity.

A Moral Person although perhaps bound by a higher covenant, may choose to follow a code of ethics as it would apply to a system. "Make it fit"

Acceptability Ethics are governed by professional and legal guidelines within a particular time and place

Morality transcends cultural norms

Is the pursuit of personal financial gain taking precedent over good governance?

Do you use confidential information learned in office for purposes outside of official business?

Do you have personal interests that conflict with your duty to the public you serve?Do you public use public resources for personal or political purposes?

Do you keep proper financial records?

Are you truthful in all encounters with colleagues, the public, and the press?

To what extent can you accept gifts?

Forgery

Fraud

Theft

Refusal of individual rights

Is the action legal?

Does it comply with your values?

If you do it, will you feel bad?

How will it make you look in the newspaper?

If you know its wrong, don’t do it!

Honesty

Integrity

Keeping Promises

Fidelity

Fairness

Caring

Respect

Citizenship

Excellence

Accountability

Avoidance of Impropriety

Kentucky County Clerk refuses to issue marriage licenses on Religious Beliefs

Florida County Clerk arrested on fraud charges

Jefferson County Clerk arrested on theft charges

NJ Clerk fined for Ethics Violation - Campaign

Reynolds City Clerk arrested on theft by conversion

Brookfield Municipal Clerk arrested on breaking and entering

Marlin Municipal Court Clerk Felony Theft