|
from Ethical Issues
Social Work Author Offers Guidelines That
Respect Worldview Diversity in the Workplace
"Certain value positions are incompatible.
Our job is not to choose between values."
September 13, 2007 - Daniel Pollack, writing in "Sexual Orientation and Religion from the Perspective of the Code of Ethics," (Social Work, Vol. 52; Issue 2, 2007, pgs. 179+) asks the question, "In the work setting, how do we address our employees about sexual orientation and religion from the perspective of the NASW [National Association of Social Workers] Code of Ethics?"
Pollack notes that the NASW Code forbids discrimination based on sexual orientation, but also, discrimination based upon religious beliefs.
Pollack is a professor at the Wurzwiler School of Social Work, Yeshiva University in New York. He notes: "Sexual orientation and religion can coexist in the work environment and be fairly dealt with when orientating, training, and supervising employees. I make no attempt to support any one position, other than to affirm the inherent worth of each person regardless of his or her sexual orientation or religious beliefs."
Pollack suggests that social workers charged with guiding their employees "have a responsibility to ensure that they do not impose their own worldview. It is critical that employees be able to openly express their viewpoints without fear of sanction, ridicule, or retribution by those in authority or their fellow employees."
He adds, "Intellectual diversity and the Code of Ethics demand nothing less."
Additional Reading:
Ethical Issues;
Theological Issues.
Updated: 27 February 2008
|
