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Case Study Analysis

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Case Study Analysis

The four case studies I selected are Academic Integrity, Interactions Between Counselor

Educators and Students, Sexual Interactions Between Supervisors and Subordinates, and ADEA

of 1967. This study paper aims to analyze the four case studies, evaluate each case's legal and

ethical issues, respond to the ethical challenges in each case, and explain how I would implement

professional strategies to help improve the outcomes of each situation. Also, it covers other

factors that are relevant to the case studies besides professional strategies, and finally, a

discussion question is provided.

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) of 1967

Discriminating against workers because of their age is illegal under the Age

Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) of 1967. The ADEA was established to protect

older workers' rights. When police officers over 40 complained to the city of Jackson,

Mississippi, about its discriminatory pay policy, the ADEA was heavily referenced when

handling the case. The city insisted that the decision was based on performance, but the older

officers contended that the policy unfairly targeted them because of their age (Ajunwa, 2019).

The Supreme Court agreed with the senior officers and upheld the ADEA's ban on disparate

impact policies that harm senior employees. This ruling established guidelines for handling age-

based discrimination, which were subsequently referenced in court cases.

The ADEA provides ethical and legal guidance on the issue of age discrimination. Ethical

considerations suggest that age discrimination in the workplace is unethical and that workers

should be evaluated only based on their skills, knowledge, and performance. Regarding

employment, the ADEA prohibits any form of bias, including hiring, firing, promotions, pay, and

termination discrimination. It also sets legally binding requirements for businesses to follow and
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safeguards the rights of their elder employees (McNamara & Williamson, 2019). To respond to

the ethical issues in the case, I would ensure my organization adheres to the guidelines for

handling age-based discrimination. I would listen to the employee grievances and ensure they are

well addressed.

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) can be improved by implementing

professional strategies such as creating measures to ensure equal treatment for all employees,

promoting generational diversity in hiring and recruiting, reviewing performance reviews,

promotions, and terminations regularly, allowing workers of all ages to continue learning and

developing their skills, and ensuring workers can report and report discrimination confidently.

Encouraging mentoring and cooperation between people of different ages can also contribute to a

culture of respect and inclusion for employees of all ages (Ajunwa, 2019). By promoting age

diversity and inclusion in the workplace, raising awareness of age discrimination, and fostering a

culture of respect and inclusion, these professional methods can contribute to better ADEA

outcomes. Other factors I need to consider include employee training and development,

retirement and succession planning, Workplace culture and policies, and Age stereotypes and

biases.

Relationships Between Counselor Educators and Students

One of the main duties of counselor educators in counselor education programs is to

provide students with a safe and supportive learning environment while maintaining reasonable

boundaries. A case involving a UNT counseling professor highlighted the importance of

counselor educators maintaining positive relationships with their students. For several years, the

professor allegedly engaged in sexual encounters with several of his students. After investigating

the claims made against the lecturer, the university determined that he had broken the policy
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prohibiting nonconsensual relationships between staff and students. Based on the investigation

findings, the institution had to fire the lecturer. An unsuitable connection puts both parties at risk

for unfavorable consequences, undermining counselor training programs' validity (Gillen &

Brown, 2023). The complex interpersonal dynamics that develop in the classroom and

counseling relationships require counselor educators to be well-prepared, necessitating both

education and training and clear standards and firm enforcement.

This case study's ethical and legal issues include sexual relationships, power imbalances,

informed consent, and confidentiality. To maintain ethical connections, counselor educators must

address power imbalances, sexual interactions, professional boundaries, informed consent, and

confidentiality. Students may face challenges in speaking out against unethical behavior, and the

ACA Code of Ethics prohibits sexual interactions between counselor educators and students

(Minton, 2019). To respond to the ethical issues in the case, I would ensure counselor educators

uphold professional boundaries, avoid assuming multiple roles, display bias, and protect

confidentiality. Legal action may be taken against both parties if these obligations are violated.

To address ethical and legal concerns in counselor-educator-student relationships,

professional strategies include establishing guidelines that separate counselors from students,

educating them on legal and ethical considerations, creating an easy system for reporting

misconduct, fostering an atmosphere of value, establishing a code of ethics for counselor

educators, allowing for continuing professional development, and fostering regular two-way

dialogue between students and teachers (Minton, 2019). These techniques help improve

relationships by encouraging ethical behavior, raising awareness, and fostering a culture of

respect and inclusion. By implementing these strategies, counselor educators can better handle

difficult situations and maintain a positive relationship with their students. Other factors that I
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might need to consider include power dynamics, dual relationships, and professional

development.

Sexual Relationships Between Supervisors and Supervisees

In counseling and psychotherapy, sexual interactions between supervisors and

supervisees are forbidden because of the power imbalance and risk to the supervisee. These links

may have negative effects, such as the suspension of a professional license or a tarnished

reputation among peers. In 2006, Dr. Rabin, a former director of clinical training at the Wright

Institute and a psychologist by training, engaged in unethical behavior by having a sexual

relationship with a supervisee. After receiving a complaint from his supervisee, the California

Board of Psychology looked into Dr. Rabin’s case. He received a monetary fine, was placed on

probation, and was required to attend training on ethics and boundaries in treatment. The case

study focuses on the relevance of establishing healthy boundaries in therapeutic alliances and

guides how to handle complex power relations between the parties.

Some legal and ethical issues in this case study include informed consent, professional

boundaries, and code of ethics. Before engaging in sexual interactions, supervisors must get their

supervisees' informed consent because it might result in conflicts of interest and unprofessional

behavior (Muthanna & Alduais, 2021). Boundaries must be fair and reasonable, and supervisors

must refrain from acting as personal therapists or exploiting workers. Sexual interactions

between supervisors and supervisees are forbidden by the American Counseling Association's

(ACA) Code of Ethics and may result in disciplinary or legal action. To respond to the ethical

issues in the case, I would provide a secure and effective working environment for all

supervisees and ensure that supervisors are vigilant about respecting professional ethics and
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abiding by the law (Muthanna & Alduais, 2021). Other factors I might need to consider include

training and development, workplace culture and policies, and reporting and investigation.

Academic Integrity Case Study

Strong procedures must be in place to guarantee that every student upholds the greatest

standards of integrity and decorum in the classroom. Only a few possible consequences of a

violation include loss of credit, expulsion, and injury to one's academic and professional image.

It was discovered in the case study involving the thesis of a graduate student had instances of

plagiarism, with certain phrases being direct duplicates of an article that had been published. The

adviser informed the department chair, who then conducted an investigation. The student

admitted that it was an honest oversight on their part to write some passages without providing

correct acknowledgment or citation (Eaton & Hughes, 2022). The student received a failing

grade for the thesis, and to resubmit it, they were required to attend a training on academic

integrity first.

This case study presents a scenario where a student is suspected of plagiarizing their

research paper, bringing up legal and ethical concerns. The student has the right to a fair hearing,

as well as the right to have access to counsel and a fair trial. The school must look into the matter

fairly and objectively and defend the student's legal rights (Cotton et al., 2023). To handle

plagiarism cases, there must be a balance between academic independence and the maintenance

of standards. Since the student is involved in plagiarism, the institution must defend the student's

rights and take the necessary steps to rectify the situation. To respond to the ethical issues in the

case, I would incorporate education and training into school curricula and academics and ensure

that staff lead by example. Clear policies and procedures should be in place for dealing with

violations and enforcing consequences. I would also provide a haven for everyone so they are
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comfortable enough to report any ethical issues and unprofessional behaviors they may

encounter in our institution.

To address ethical and legal concerns in counselor-educator-student relationships,

professional strategies include establishing guidelines that separate counselors from students,

educating them on legal and ethical considerations, creating an easy system for reporting

misconduct, fostering an atmosphere of value, establishing a code of ethics for counselor

educators, allowing for continuing professional development, and fostering regular two-way

dialogue between students and counselors (Eaton & Hughes, 2022). These techniques help

improve relationships by encouraging ethical behavior, raising awareness, and fostering a culture

of respect and inclusion. By implementing these strategies, counselor educators can better handle

difficult situations and maintain a positive relationship with their students. Other factors I might

need to consider include cultural differences, student background, mental health, technological

advancements, and faculty workload.

Discussion Question example: How can human services specialists ensure that their

policies and processes are appropriate for diverse populations?

References

Ajunwa, I. (2019). Age discrimination by platforms. Berkeley J. Emp. & Lab. L., 40, 1.

Heinonline.org. Retrieved July 27, 2023, from https://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?

handle=hein.journals/berkjemp40&div=5&id=&page=

Cotton, D. R. E., Cotton, P. A., & Shipway, J. R. (2023). Chatting and cheating: Ensuring

academic integrity in the era of ChatGPT. Innovations in Education and Teaching

International, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/14703297.2023.2190148

Eaton, S. E., & Hughes, J. C. (Eds.). (2022). Academic integrity in Canada: An enduring and

essential challenge (1st ed.). Springer Nature.

Gillen, G., & Brown, C. (2023). Willard and Spackman's Occupational Therapy. Lippincott

Williams & Wilkins.

McNamara, T. K., & Williamson, J. B. (2019). Ageism: Past, present, and future (1st Edition).

Routledge.

Minton, C. A. B. (2019). Counselor education and supervision : 2017 inaugural

review. Counselor Education and Supervision, 58(1), 4–17.

https://doi.org/10.1002/ceas.12120

Muthanna, A., & Alduais, A. (2021). A thematic review on research integrity and research

supervision: Relationships, crises, and critical messages. Journal of Academic

Ethics, 19(1), 95–113. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10805-020-09368-z