Be Part of the Democratic Process to Revise the NASW Code of Ethics
NASW Leadership Bodies
We urgently need NASW members from around the country to sign our new petition so that the 2023 Delegate Assembly (DA) will consider adopting the Social Worker Equity Campaign’s (SWEC) proposed revisions to the NASW Code of Ethics at its tri-annual meeting in October 2023!! Here are our two proposed revisions:
| PROPOSED REVISED TEXT | CURRENT TEXT |
| Value: Service Ethical Principle: Social workers' primary goal is to help people in need and to address social problems. Social workers recognize service to others is a fundamental value that can only be achieved through a supportive work environment. Such support is required so that social workers can draw on their knowledge, values, and skills to help people in immediate need while also addressing systemic social problems. | Value: Service Ethical Principle: Social workers’ primary goal is to help people in need and to address social problems. Social workers elevate service to others above self-interest. Social workers draw on their knowledge, values, and skills to help people in need and to address social problems. Social workers are encouraged to volunteer some portion of their professional skills with no expectation of significant financial return (pro bono service). |
| PROPOSED REVISED TEXT | CURRENT TEXT |
| Value: Integrity Ethical Principle: Social workers behave in a trustworthy manner. Social workers are continually aware of the profession’s mission, values, ethical principles, and ethical standards and practice in a manner consistent with them inside their agencies and the communities in which they work. Social workers should take measures to care for themselves professionally and personally, including advocacy to ensure safe, secure, and supportive work environments. Social workers act honestly and responsibly and promote ethical practices on the part of the organizations with which they are affiliated. | Value: Integrity Ethical Principle: Social workers behave in a trustworthy manner. Social workers are continually aware of the profession’s mission, values, ethical principles, and ethical standards and practice in a manner consistent with them. Social workers should take measures to care for themselves professionally and personally. Social workers act honestly and responsibly and promote ethical practices on the part of the organizations with which they are affiliated. |
For the last 2 years, SWEC has waged a vigorous campaign to update the NASW Code of Ethics to reflect the changing needs and concerns of social workers themselves; check out our COE Revision Campaign Timeline. So far, 3,300+ social workers have signed our original petition and 8,000+ have joined us on LinkedIn in support of these proposed changes. However, NASW’s National Board determined not to allot any time for discussion of proposed revisions and did not add the Code of Ethics as an agenda item for the upcoming DA this October. They based their decision on an interpretation that our Code relates solely to social workers’ responsibilities to clients and should not address social workers’ concerns for how those responsibilities can be met. Given the arduous financial stress, student debt, and difficult working conditions of so many social workers, we respectfully disagree. For an alternative Code similar to what we are proposing, please see the American Nurses’ Association Code of Ethics.
In a recent meeting with NASW President Dr. Mit Joyner, President-Elect Dr. Yvonne Chase and NASW’s new CEO, Dr. Anthony Estreet, they outlined the process by which we can appeal so that proposed revisions to the Code of Ethics are added to the DA October 2023 meeting agenda:
We must collect 3% of the 107,738 members from at least 5 chapters - 3,232 members in good standing by JUNE 1st.
We know that is a huge number, but are hopeful that you and your NASW member colleagues will sign this petition, with your:
- Name
- Email connected to your NASW membership
- NASW Membership ID #
- City, State
All of the above are required to be considered a valid signature according to the guidelines outlined by NASW.
Your signature does not signify support for the SWEC recommendations at this time, but becomes part of the required petition outlined in the NASW By-Laws. Your signature becomes part of our request that the 2023 Delegate Assembly democratically consider and vote upon these Code changes of great concern to a large number of social work students, practitioners, and faculty from around the country.
Based on our meeting with leadership, we have narrowed our revisions from all six Code Principles to just two: Service and Integrity; see our Proposed Revisions to the Code of Ethics.
In the spirit of a collaborative and open democratic process, please sign this petition today and share it with your NASW member colleagues!
Blanca Alvarado, Texas NASW Chapter Member
Rob Bennett, Indiana, Indiana NASW Chapter Member
Steve Burghardt, New York City, NASW Chapter Member
Steering Committee Members, Social Worker Equity Campaign
Petition by
To:
NASW Leadership Bodies
From:
[Your Name]
The Social Worker Equity Campaign has worked for 2 years to revise and strengthen our Code of Ethics. Revisions to the current Code is an important issue for social workers across the country and needs to be addressed.
As part of a collective action, we - NASW members - are calling on NASW National Board of Directors and Officers, Executive Director, and Delegates to participate in true democratic governance and allot time at the October 2023 Delegate Assembly to review the Social Workers Equity Campaign’s proposed revisions to the Code of Ethics’ Values of: Service and Integrity.
NASW has a long history of commitment to democratic process and debate, adding substantial time for review of the proposed revisions will be a powerful example of that democratic commitment and transparency. We hope to continue this tradition!