The HIM Department director, a credentialed HIM professional, attends all local and state HIM association meetings and
Question:
The HIM Department director, a credentialed HIM professional, attends all local and state HIM association meetings and the AHIMA national convention and exhibit every year. As one of the conditions of accepting employment with the organization, the director was promised latitude to attend educational offerings to ensure maintenance of her continuing education (CEU) obligations and to support committee appointments. The director's continuing education expenses have been covered to date in the department's budget, but funds are not unlimited. Some members of your staff have complained recently that the director does not extend the same educational opportunities to her staff that she enjoys. Several staff members hold AHIMA credentials. Workload and budget constraints have been cited by the director in the past as obstacles to staff attending outside educational meetings. Several creative plans to address this concern have been proposed by the staff. These have included rotating opportunities to attend local, state or national meetings among the director and credentialed staff each year; hosting a meeting or webinar on site. The director has not yet made a decision regarding any of these suggestions; staff are awaiting her response.
Questions to follow:
1. What's ethical, fair at work?
2. What is the ethical concern in this situation?
3. What issue(s) of fairness are at play in this situation, and what is the potential for harm?
4. What information or guidelines might be used in assessing this situation? Name at least two.