Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Clinical Practice Exam 2025 - Free ASWB Clinical Practice Questions and Study Guide

The social worker's actions can be interpreted as ethical because she is advocating for a cause that she believes is in the best interest of her clients while maintaining her identity as a private individual. In this context, when a social worker speaks out against legislation or policies that they perceive to be harmful, they are exercising their right to free speech and are fulfilling a professional responsibility to advocate for social justice and the welfare of clients.

According to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics, social workers have a responsibility to engage in social and political action and to work to improve the social conditions that affect their clients. By not identifying her employer, the social worker clearly delineates her personal views from her professional role, reducing the risk of her employer's perspective being misrepresented. This distinction is crucial because it allows her to communicate her concerns without implicating her employer in her stance, thereby safeguarding the integrity of her professional relationship.

In this scenario, acting as a private individual while advocating for clients enhances her credibility and aligns with ethical practice in the social work field, as it emphasizes her commitment to client advocacy over institutional loyalties.