Examine the situation and values : 

• Examine the facts. Gather all available information and/or evidence. Are there disagreements about the facts?

• Examine whether an ethical dilemma actually exists. Ask yourself: Are there Standards of Practice, policies or legislation that direct how to proceed? Am I trying to determine what is morally right or wrong? Are values and beliefs in conflict?

• Examine relevant values. What are the values of the client, society and organization? What are your professional and personal values? Ignoring values is as problematic as imposing values.

Think about the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

• How does the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice apply to this situation?

• What is the legislation that applies to the workplace? Is there legislation that applies to this situation (e.g., Child, Youth and Family Services Act, Health Care Consent Act, Personal Health Information Protection Act)?

• Are there workplace polices or practices that apply to this situation?

Hypothesize all possible decisions or options ; Do not place judgment or look for the best options

Identify the consequences of each option : Reflect on the inherent risks and benefits of each option.

Consult with others : Consult with others about ethical choices. You may choose to consult colleagues, supervisors, managers, ethicists or privacy officers; obtain a legal consult;

Please see the OCSWSSW website