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1-1 Case Studies

Communication Situation: A social worker visits the home of prospective adoptive parents. The social worker must determine answers for two questions: (1) Is the home appropriate for the adoptive child? (2) Are the prospective parents capable of caring for and raising that particular child? After the social worker prepares a report for a supervisor, the social worker must communicate with the prospective parents. The social worker must meet the emotional needs of the prospective parents and fulfill a legal responsibility to inform by providing written reference material.

Task A: Use the example on page 10 as a guide. Determine the message form(s) for the communication situation. In the space provided, write the results of each step of your analysis.

Task B: Now that you have decided the appropriate message form, determine the most effective transmission mode(s). Use the example on page 12 as a guide. In the space provided, write the results of each step of your analysis.

1-2 Case Studies

Communication Situation: The board of directors for a Fortune 500 company met in the corporate office in Houston, Texas. The company has branch facilities in various locations throughout the United States. The directors decided to restructure the company’s retirement plan. Human resource officers will send messages about the restructured retirement to all employees. Employees should refer to the revised plan to select the retirement benefits they want to receive.

Task A: Use the example on page 10 as a guide. Determine the message form(s) for the communication situation. In the space provided, write the results of each step of your analysis.

Task B: Now that you have selected the appropriate message forms, determine the most effective transmission mode(s). Use the example on page 12 as a guide. In the space provided, write the results of each step of your analysis.

1-3 Case Studies

Ethics in Action—Discussion Generator

Directions: Read this case. Use the space provided to write your responses to the “Questions for Thought and Discussion.” For assistance in resolving ethical problems, refer to the “Framework for Making Ethical Decisions” available online at .

Case: You have worked as a financial specialist for Littleton Bank and Loan (LB&L) for the past eight years. LB&L has a stellar reputation in the community. The high level of confidentiality required of bank employees has contributed to that reputation. Every customer is assured that financial information will be protected. The bank has a zero tolerance policy for employees who breach confidentiality.

Your duties include helping customers secure loans for homes, cars, and boats. You have a solid background in financial issues, and your family and friends often ask you for financial advice.

Yesterday you received a call from your younger sister Mary who has been dating Sylvester Hogan for six months. Sylvester’s demeanor has bothered you since you met him. You are not quite sure what the problem is, but something tells you not to trust him.

While talking with you, Mary asks for financial advice. Sylvester wants to buy a new house, but he does not have the money for a down payment. Mary and Sylvester have decided that Mary should refinance her house and take out the equity. Mary would lend the money to Sylvester so he can make a down payment on a house. Your initial reaction is that this plan is a very bad idea. Because you do not want to alienate your sister and reveal your distrust for Sylvester, you offer her a measured response. You explain the financial risk she is taking and tell her that her plan is not one you would recommend to any client—much less to your family members. However, you suspect that Mary has already decided to lend Sylvester the money.

Later in the day you do some investigating. You look through the bank’s computer files and pull a copy of Sylvester’s credit report. What you find does not surprise you. Sylvester has multiple bankruptcies and countless defaults. Of all of the credit histories you have seen in your career, his credit is the worst.

Questions for Thought and Discussion

1. What ethical issues or questions do you see in this case?

2. What are your options? What could you do to try to resolve the situation?

3. What should you do? Why?

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