The Code of Ethics Definition

The Code of Ethics defines Misrepresentation as:

4.06 Misrepresentation

(a) Social workers should make clear distinctions between statements made and actions engaged in as a private individual and as a representative of the social work profession, a professional social work organization, or the social worker’s employing agency.

(b) Social workers who speak on behalf of professional social work organizations should accurately represent the official and authorized positions of these organizations.

(c) Social workers should ensure that their representations to clients, agencies, and the public of professional qualifications, credentials, education, competence, affiliations, services provided, or results to be achieved are accurate. Social workers should claim only those relevant professional credentials they actually possess and take steps to correct any inaccuracies or misrepresentations of their credentials by others.

In other words, social workers need to clarify when they are acting as private individuals instead of social workers or for their employing agency.

When speaking for an organization, social workers need to represent those organizations accurately.

Claims regarding professional qualifications, credentials, education, competence, affiliations, services provided, or results to be achieved must be accurate. Credentials must be stated accurately, and if others misstate them, social workers should clarify immediately.