Marketing

Engineering

Neuroscience

Service (business)

Service provider

Public relations

Right to privacy

Dignity

Business

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Mechanical engineering

Psychology

Political science

Social work

Work (physics)

Infectious disease (medical specialty)

Sociology

Globe

Autonomy

Medicine

Disease

Pathology

International Social Work

This article draws on findings of an international study of social workers’ ethical challenges during COVID-19, based on 607 responses to a qualitative survey. Ethical challenges included the following: maintaining trust, privacy, dignity and service user autonomy in remote relationships; allocating limited resources; balancing rights and needs of different parties; deciding whether to break or bend policies in the interests of service users; and handling emotions and ensuring care of self and colleagues. The article considers regional contrasts, the ‘ethical logistics’ of complex decision-making, the impact of societal inequities, and lessons for social workers and professional practice around the globe.

Practising ethically during COVID-19: Social work challenges and responses