By Elaine Congress, DSW, ACSW, Chair, NASW NYC Committee on Ethics and Professional Standards
(May 1996)

On April 19, Dr. Frederic Reamer, the foremost authority on social work ethics and the Chair of the National NASW Ethics Code Revision Committee, addressed the Chapter's Fifth Annual Ethics Conference. Eighty social workers attended the meeting at the Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service.

Dr. Reamer characterized the new Code of Ethics as very different from the previous Code. With a mandate from the last Delegate Assembly in 1993, a committee headed by Dr. Reamer sought to produce a new Code which was:

1. More "practically focused" and provided explicit guidance to social workers struggling with difficult ethical issues in their practice;
2. More comprehensive in scope and covered issues not found in previous Codes; and
3. More user friendly and included an index to help social workers find help with specific ethical questions.

Since September, 1994, Dr. Reamer and other members of the Committee have had over 16 meetings to develop and amend the new Code. Input came from other social work organizations including the Council on Social Work Education, the American Board of State Social Work Examiners, the Association of Black Social Workers, and the Federation of Clinical Societies, as well as Chapter executives, officers and NASW members. The proposed Code was printed in its entirety in the January 1996 NASW NEWS and feedback from members was again solicited.

The four main sections of the new Code of Ethics are:

1. A preamble which includes the mission statement for the profession;
2. Purpose of the Code which discusses the main functions of the Code and provides a guide for dealing with ethical dilemmas;
3. Principles which define the values of the profession; and
4. Standards for the profession which guide social workers' conduct and provide a basis for adjudication.

While the first three sections are important, as this content is fundamental to our profession, Reamer proposed that the last section would provide the most specific help for professionals. While some of the provisions are enforceable and subject to adjudication by NASW's Committee on Inquiry, other standards are more aspirational. Professional judgement should be used in determining which cases should be adjudicated.

Dr. Reamer reported on what was new in the new Code of Ethics. The main changes include:

1. Maintaining confidentiality with current technological advances including computers, facsimile machines, telephone answering machines, and electronic mail;
2. Limits to self determination because of risk to clients or others;
3. Insuring confidentiality of information with deceased clients;
4. Developing cultural competence;
5. Maintaining appropriate boundaries with two or more clients;
6. Application of code to administrators, supervisors, and educators.

In the new code there are specific provisions which forbid:

1. Sexual harassment
2. Sexual contact with relatives of clients or former clients
3. Physical contact with clients when there is risk of psychological harm
4. Defamatory language

In conclusion, Dr. Reamer reiterated that the new Code represents a most positive advance for the profession and that social work ethics represents the "immune system of our profession." The Delegate Assembly will approve the final revision of the new Code in Washington this August and it is expected to go into effect later this year.

Workshops on impaired colleagues headed by Dr. Reamer, on dual relationships, chaired by Dr. Elaine Congress, and confidentiality, led by Dr. Paul Kurzman, concluded the conference. In the workshop on impaired colleagues Dr. Reamer expanded the definition of impaired colleagues to include not only colleagues impaired by substance abuse, but also colleagues who are incompetent, as well as those who are guilty of Code infractions. Dr. Kurzman focused on three main concepts involving confidentiality, privacy, professional confidentiality, and privileged knowledge. Dr. Congress discussed the types of dual relationships that can develop- sexual partner, social friend, employer, or educator with current or former clients.

The Ethics and Professional Standards Committee will continue to examine the Code of Ethics, as well as other areas of ethical concern in the coming months and all NASW members interested in joining the committee are welcome to attend meetings. Call the Chapter office at (212) 668-0050 for more information.