Work Environment The new quality management $($QM$)$ director is a dually$-$credentialed HIM professional and Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality. As one of the conditions of her acceptance of employment, she indicated that she would need latitude to attend educational offerings to ensure her continuing education unit $($CEU$)$ obligations were met. She frequently attends meetings, both locally and nationally; however, she does not extend the same opportunities to her credentialed staff, citing the workload as the obstacle. Despite several creative plans that were presented by the staff, which include hosting a meeting at their facility, the QM director will not approve these activities. The staff cannot secure the meeting space without her approval. Is there an ethical violation, dilemma, or concern?$$

This scenario presents an ethical concern if there are no organizational limitations$,$ such as policies or practices that limits staff level employee reimbursements for continuing education. The new QM director should try to respect the educational and professional needs of her staff. The perception of her staff is that she is placing her self$-$interest above theirs by frequently attending professional meetings, while not honoring their requests to develop creative ways to meet their continuing educational needs. This may indirectly reflect that she does not value the credentials of her staff.

If there are budgetary restraints, the director should take the opportunity to listen to her staff and develop an opportunity for her staff to continue their education.$$ The opportunity will have a positive impact on the organization.