Ensuring Ethical Decision-Making: Gather the Facts - Essay Sample

Introduction

The ethical decision-making process involves various steps that one has to follow before making a final ethical decision. The first step that I have to comply with this process is to gather the facts. I have to ensure that I have the relevant facts that will aid me in making the final decisions. Therefore, this first step ensures that I do not jump into conclusions without collecting the relevant information. Some of the questions that guide me in the first process include; why, how, when, where, what and who. These questions are critical as they will assist me in collecting the facts. However, some uncertainties might arise that will hinder the collection of this critical information, for instance, some facts may not be available. However, I have to assemble many facts before I proceed to the next stage. In the last step under the first step, I ensure that I clarify the assumptions I am making.

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The second step is to define the ethical issues. For instance, I ensure that I don't jump to solutions before I identify the ethical issues in the situation am handling. Moreover, I have to ensure that I define the ethical basis for the matters that I want to focus on. At this stage, I have to focus on one major ethical issue at a time bases on the number that I had previously identified.

The third step involves identifying the affected parties. At this stage identify all the stakeholders and group them into two major categories. For instance, I have to ensure that I have direct or primary stakeholders and indirect or secondary stakeholders. After identification of the stakeholders, I engage in perspective-taking where I try to examine issues through the eyes of the affected individuals.

The fourth step involves the identification of the consequences. At this stage, I have to think about the potential negative and positive consequences for the affected parties by the decision. At this point, I ensure that much of the focus is on ensuring that the process is comfortable by simplifying the process while focusing on the primary stakeholders. At this stage, I have to measure the magnitude and the probability of the consequences that could happen. Through these processes, I group the consequences into two. First the short term and secondly the long term consequences. The broader systematic consequences are tied to secrecy and symbolism. For instance, on the secrecy consequences, I have to prepare for the consequences of the action or decisions become public. While for the symbolic consequence it means that the decision taken sends a message. Moreover, at this stage, I have to consider the relevant cognitive biases or barriers. For instance, I have to consider the decisions that are based only on the consequences then find out if they are similar given other considerations.

The fifth step involves the identification of relevant justice issues, rights, and principles. For instance, at this stage, I have to think about obligations based on the rights and principles involved. For example, I have to find out the obligations that are created based on a particular ethical principle that I might use in the situation. I also focus on the obligations that are created because of the specific rights of the stakeholders. I have to find out the rights that are secondary and more basic and the type of help that will protest and individual's basic autonomy. Moreover, I have to identify the types of rights involved such as the positive and the negative rights. I have to set out the relevant concepts of justice either procedural or distributive. Lastly, I formulate appropriate actions or decisions based on the analysis of the obligations as discussed above.

The sixth step involves considering integrity and character. At this point, I have to consider what the people I am going to provide help consider to be a kind of a decision that a person of integrity would make at a particular scenario. Moreover, I have to analyze the specific virtues that are relevant in this situation and also come up with a disclosure rule. I also think critically about the decision that I will be remembered for after completion of the assignment.

The seventh step involves thinking creatively about potential actions. For instance, at this point, I have to ensure that I am not unnecessarily forced into a corner. I brainstorm on the various solutions and select the one that I think is relevant and it will serve the purpose of satisfying the interests of the primary parties. Lastly, the eight-step involves checking the gut.

How would you address ethical issues that you are likely to encounter as a helping professional?

I would always create an environment that would support employees to raise ethical questions and empower their concerns. For instance, every person would tend to bring their values to the situation as ethical issues are complicated. Therefore, I have to involve other people as the best ethical analysis is done in open as everyone wants to do a good job.

What issues will influence your ability to help/counsel effectively and ethically?

Issues that will influence my ability to counsel effectively and ethically include having a strong ethical compass. It is through trust that the counseling relationship is built. For instance, I will take advantage as a counsel over my clients when they trust that they are vulnerable. It is from the proof of integrity, worth and trusts that it makes me earn the trust. These values directly tie into my professional ethics.

Part II

An analysis of your values: What are your core values?

I am a competent person, with integrity, I ensure the dignity of my profession and I have the public interest at heart.

How will these values help/hinder you as a helping professional?

The above stated will assist me as a helping professional in the following ways, the value of competency will enable me to discharge my duties to the public, clients and associates effectively with skills, diligence due care, competence, knowledge, professionalism, efficiency. Therefore, I will be able to adhere to and engage in acceptable practices when carrying out my work.

Through integrity, I am in a position to discharge my duties to the public, associates, clients, and employers with honesty, fidelity, and integrity. For instance, I am expected to disclose to the clients, prospective employers and clients in writing of other benefits or royalty that may accrue or accrues as a result of the work with an employer or a client concerned, the status related to the professional indemnity insurance cover. Moreover, and any interest be it financial or otherwise that may have in any business undertaking which is related to the work I will do or employed for. It is from this value that will enable me to avoid any potential, real or perceived conflict of interest. I am also expected to give professional opinions, recommendations or decisions that are objective and honest and are based on the facts that are used in reaching opinions or recommendations given to employers or clients.

Focusing on public interest, I have to ensure that at all times the interest of the public, safety, public health have due regard. I have to inform an employer or a client of any consequences which may be detrimental to the public interests, safety or health when I am providing professional advice ( Zahedi, EmamiRazavi and Larijani, 2009).Moreover, I have to adhere to the dignity of the profession. For instance, I have to uphold the reputation, dignity and the standing of the profession. In the course of my work, I ensure that I provide services or work of acceptable standards, scope, and quality which is commensurate with the acceptable practices in my profession.

Because of your core values, what clients would you have difficulty helping?

Based on my values, I will have challenges with indecisive clients. This are types of clients that are unable to decide on the number of questions they ask and the advice they receive. However, I will ensure that I acknowledge the indecision. I will help the client in deciding by offering the best solutions and facts about their needs.

Highly critical clients might pose a huge challenge in the course of my work. For instance, they tend to be very critical to suggestions and they seem to know it all. However, I can be able to handle these types of clients by being attentive and patient. Weave in new ideas and information, clarify statements and avoid taking anything personally.

An aggressive client would pose a lot of challenges (Webley and Dryden, 2005). For instance, this type of client is always angry and has a feeling that should be served before others. However, I can handle these types of clients by not arguing with them and staying calm. Moreover, I will ensure that I don't respond to their arguments in an emotional, agitated manner. I will offer other solutions and alternatives and show them that I do understand their concerns.

How will your values affect your working with clients from other cultures?

My values will slightly be affected by working with clients from other cultures however, this would be on a lower scale. My professional and personal value seems to be compatible with other cultures. However, I have to handle myself professionally to ensure that I handle every aspect of my work professionally hence avoid offending my clients. I will also ensure that I handle the clients with at most respect and ensure that they do understand the services I am meant to provide them,

Part III

Boundary issues in the helping professions: Address multiple relationships and multiple responsibilities. When dealing with clients, what are some of the boundary issues that you might struggle with?

Boundaries establish the limits that provide safe connections between the clients and their service providers. Therefore, I need to understand my responsibilities and limits as a service provider. Some of the boundaries issues I might struggle with when dealing with clients the maintenance of professionalism when the client is emotional. I might be carried away by an emotional client. Sometimes it is very difficult to maintain or establish boundaries because of dual relationships for instance if the client and I could have known one another or the client is a close relative or a friend. Moreover, if the client lives in my neighborhood or belongs to the same church hence avoiding some dual relationships might be difficult (Trevino et al., 1999). There could be value conflict where I as the help provider do not share similar lifestyles, relationships, viewpoints on choices among others. It is difficult to maintain boundaries when the help provider believes that they are the only ones who can provide help to the client, believe that they are the best moreover when the help provider does not trust the team members. On several occasions, the provider plays the hero as he feels that he can save the client (Schwartz, 2004).

How might you resolve these issues?

I might resolve these issues by establishing clear limits, taking care of my physical and emotional health. Moreover, I will ensure that I understand my own needs and roles as a professional, stay focused on the job at hand and establish clear limits. By taking the above measures I will be able to avoid compassion fatigue, an aspect where the service provider's role doesn't feel sustainable. Moreover, clients might not receive help or appreciate services hence, this could affect my reputation. Further, these measures will ensure that I do not act unethically. I will address the boundaries issues clearly and quickly whenever they appear as they could be sensitive to the client's feelings. I will also ensure that the personal informat...