Chapter 19

Perspectives on Diversity and Ethical Behavior

MANAGING DIVERSITY IN SOCIAL AGENCIES

Establish guidelines and goals Develop policies Establish quality improvement teams Conduct regular attitude surveys

DEVELOPING A CULTURALLY SENSITIVE PERSPECTIVE

Tune in to fundamental concerns of our clients,

To understand—emotionally as well as intellectually—what they are going through, and

To communicate that sense of understanding.

CHALLENGES OF DIVERSITY IN COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

Discern and Accept Differences Among People

You Need to Earn Their Trust Prejudice Can Breed Prejudice

DEALING WITH ETHICAL ISSUES

Social work relies on the integrity and comportment of its practitioners. Because social work professionals often work closely with those who are most vulnerable in our society, they must have an inner clarity of their own values, of what is proper and appropriate behavior.

Most of the social work values are articu lated in the National Association of Social Work (NASW) Code of Ethics.

DEALING WITH SEXUAL HARASSMENT

In any organization, sexual harassment can be grounds for dismissal. Accu sations by clients that staff have made overt sexual advances or have pressured them into sexual acts are a violation of professional ethics and compel termination hearings. Supervisors who use their position to make overt demands for sex from subordinates abuse their power and should also be subject to termination.

PROVIDING MEANINGFUL PERSONNEL PRACTICES

Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination

Personnel Selection Problem Solving or Grievance

Procedures Classification Plan and Benefits Special Policies Security of Employment

SUMMARY The work of an organization can be affected by the

way it handles such issues as the diversity of its work force, cultural sensitivity, sexual harassment, and its personnel practices. Being proactive in dealing with diversity issues can result in improved staff attitudes toward the organization and their work. Sexual harassment cannot be tolerated, and all agencies would do well to have definitive policies and procedures in place to address this problem. Personnel practices and procedures should be written so as to cover a wide range of personnel topics. Among the types that should be available are the following:

Personnel practices and procedures

A written human resource plan A job description for each position A plan for recruitment and selection A plan for enhancing agency diversity A plan for staff development and training A performance evaluation system in place Written procedures for employee

termination

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION 1) What is your agency’s policy with respect to the

following: a) affirmative action b) sexual harassment c) AIDS d) substance abuse?

2) Select one of the following groups of potential clients: a) Gay/Lesbian people b) Latinos c) substance abusers. Assume you are not from the group that you select. How you would address the challenges of working with a client that is different from yourself?

3) What are the ways your agency communicates a code of ethical behavior?

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION 4) You are working in an agency that provides support for persons with

AIDS. Recently one of your clients, who is still in fairly good health, tells you that he is having sex with women and purposefully not telling them of his condition. Nor does he want to take protective measures. What should you do?

5) You observe that one of your colleagues, with whom you are friendly, is faking her records. She is recording interviews that have not occurred and taking time off from work to go shopping. You have expressed to her your concern with this unethical behavior. But you see that she is persisting. You don’t like the idea that you would be the one to get her in trouble, but you are concerned that clients are not being served and that the agency may be greatly harmed by her actions. What should you do?

6) You work for an agency that provides day services for mentally challenged adults. The agency’s main purpose is to teach these adults living skills, such as cooking and housekeeping. But you learn soon after you arrive that most of their time is spent in watching TV cartoons. Instead of teaching them cooking, the counselor takes them to a restaurant. You question the ethics and practices of the agency. What might you consider doing?