2.0 Ethics Case 1

Problem-solving step Your response Response example
Identify the problem

The supervisor is not able to support his trainees and clients

Jack’s responsibilities have increased but no room has been made in his schedule.
Relevant ethical standard(s)

4.03 and 4.04

4.03 Supervisory Volume – Jack’s work responsibilities have increased, and now his supervision commitments have exceeded his ability to be effective.
Consider dimensions of the problem

Reach out to employer about support with current caseload and number of trainees

Jack has responsibilities to both his clients and his trainees. His workload has exceeded his ability to be effective as a supervisor.
It would be an ethics violation for Jack to abandon his clients or his trainees
Consider courses of action & potential consequences

trainee not getting the required support

Decrease client caseload – Jack could ask his employer to share the extra responsibilities with other behavior analysts, or temporarily cut his billable hours to the minimum necessary
Share supervision – Jack is the only behavior analyst supervisor so this is really not an option
Select a course of action

Let your trainees know that they may have to discontinue supervision contract due to not being able to sustain the larger caseload and supervision expectation

Jack might decide to present the problem as an urgent ethics issue to his director and urge that they contract with a staffing agency to fill the position with a BCBA who can take on the extra client cases while they continue the search for a permanent replacement.
Implement and evaluate course of action The director is responsive to Jack’s request and Jack receives relief from the extra work within about a week.