| Problem-solving step | Your response | Response example |
|---|---|---|
| Identify the problem |
His workload has increased and he can no longer meet his supervisory standards. |
Jack’s responsibilities have increased but no room has been made in his schedule. |
| Relevant ethical standard(s) |
4.03 supervisory volume |
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 |
approach colleagues in the clinic to see if they could take some of the supervisees or to split clientele |
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 |
discontinue supervision or talk to his supervisor to see about hiring a new BCBA |
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 |
discontinue supervision until company hires new BCBA |
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 |
it is necessary so he can meet his job requirements and not provide inadequate supervision to supervisees |
The director is responsive to Jack’s request and Jack receives relief from the extra work within about a week. |
