What is an ethical dilemma and how should it be addressed in practice?

• A. A situation with conflicting ethical principles; addressed by applying ethical decision-making frameworks, documenting steps, consulting supervisors, and considering client welfare.
• B. A minor inconvenience that has no impact on clients.
• C. A personal preference that the social worker can ignore.
• D. A clear rule violation with a single correct action.

Answer: (C)

An ethical dilemma happens when multiple ethical obligations pull in different directions, so there isn’t a single clear right answer. In practice, address it with a structured decision-making process: identify the conflicting values or obligations, review relevant codes of ethics (and laws), consider the potential harms and benefits to the client, and weigh issues like autonomy, confidentiality, safety, and justice. Seek supervision or consultation, document the reasoning and steps taken, and choose the action that best protects the client while staying true to professional standards, then monitor outcomes and adjust as needed. This is what makes an ethical dilemma distinct from a simple preference, a minor inconvenience, or an obvious rule violation with one correct action.