Ethical Standards Quiz

When multiple professionals are working with the same client and scheduling conflicts arise, what is the best course of action?

• Each professional prioritizes their own schedule without consulting others.

• The client chooses which service to attend, and the other professional cancels their session.

• Professionals communicate and coordinate schedules to avoid conflicts and serve the client effectively.

• The program director decides which professional’s schedule takes precedence without consulting the client.

If a colleague starts making snide remarks or gossiping about you, what is the most ethical way to handle the situation?

• Ignore the behavior and hope it stops on its own.

• Gossip back about the colleague to defend yourself.

• Address the issue directly with the colleague or involve a supervisor if necessary.

• Report the colleague directly to the CEO without following agency procedures.

What should you do if you witness unethical behavior by a coworker who is also a personal friend?

• Ignore it to avoid damaging your friendship.

• Report the behavior through the proper channels in your organization.

• Confront the coworker publicly to embarrass them.

• Wait for someone else to report the behavior.

Before sharing a client’s personal information with another professional or agency, what is ethically required?

• Sharing only verbal information without any documentation.

• Obtaining the client’s written informed consent.

• Sharing as much information as possible to ensure good care.

• Asking a colleague if it’s okay to share the information.

What is the best practice when you have concerns about a colleague’s unethical conduct but fear retaliation?

• Keep the concerns to yourself to avoid conflict.

• Report the concerns through confidential and protected organizational channels.

• Confront the colleague aggressively to force a response.

• Tell everyone in the office about the concerns to get support.

Which of the following is NOT an appropriate reason to bypass your program director and go directly to the CEO to report a coworker?

• The CEO is your spouse and may favor your perspective.

• You have already attempted to resolve the issue through supervisors.

• The program director is the proper channel for complaints.

• You want to avoid gossip and handle the issue professionally.

What ethical responsibility do professionals have when working in interdisciplinary teams?

• Maintain clear, respectful communication and collaborate on client goals.

• Work independently to show your expertise.

• Focus only on your discipline’s goals and ignore others.

• Avoid sharing information to protect your job security.

What is a key benefit of regular team meetings or case reviews in human services?

• To compete for control over the client’s case.

• To clarify roles, update on progress, and resolve scheduling conflicts.

• To allow staff to socialize during work hours.

• To ensure one professional’s plan is enforced above others.

What should a professional do if a client refuses to sign a consent form to share their information but collaboration is necessary?

• Share the information anyway if it benefits the client.

• Respect the client’s decision and seek alternative ways to coordinate care.

• Pressure the client until they consent.

• Ignore the client’s wishes and proceed.

How can organizations best support employees who report unethical behavior?

• By creating confidential reporting channels and protecting whistleblowers from retaliation.

• By ignoring reports to avoid workplace drama.

• By immediately firing accused employees without investigation.

• By discouraging reporting to maintain a positive image.