A supervisor pressures you to bend the rules to close more cases; how should you apply ethical decision-making steps?

• A. Do nothing and hope the issue resolves itself.
• B. Identify facts, consult policy, consider consequences and rights, choose the compliant course, and escalate if the supervisor persists.
• C. Confront the supervisor with a public critique.
• D. Document the request but comply if pressured.

Answer: (B)

When you’re pressured to bend the rules, the right approach is to follow a structured ethical decision-making process: start by identifying the facts of the situation, then consult the relevant policies or rules to see what is allowed. Next, weigh the possible consequences and rights involved—consider how bending the rules could harm clients, violate regulations, or put the organization at risk, and how sticking to the rules protects integrity and fairness. After weighing these factors, choose the course that complies with policy and ethics. If the supervisor continues to pressure you, escalate the issue through the proper channels to get guidance and accountability.

This path is the best because it foregrounds accountability and ensures actions are based on documented standards rather than pressure or convenience. It also creates a clear record and a mechanism for resolving the situation without compromising ethics or legality.

Avoiding action lets the problem persist; publicly confronting the supervisor can create unnecessary conflict and may bypass proper channels; documenting the request but complying anyway normalizes bending rules and ignores the need to resolve through policy and escalation.