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Ethics and the ASWB Exam: 2.04 Disputes Involving Colleagues

Ethics and the ASWB Exam: 2.04 Disputes Involving Colleagues

Conflicts between professionals in any field can be challenging, but in Social Work, they carry added weight. Disputes aren’t just uncomfortable; they can impact client care, professional reputations, and the overall integrity of the field. That’s why ethics play such a central role, and why the ASWB exam focuses heavily on your ability to navigate these situations with professionalism and care. Standard 2.04 of the NASW Code of Ethics, which addresses disputes involving colleagues, is one of the key areas every Social Worker must understand thoroughly.

When preparing for the ASWB exam, it’s easy to focus on theories, diagnoses, and treatment plans. But ethics questions often trip people up, not because they’re hard to memorize, but because they require sound judgment and a clear sense of what’s right in tough situations. Standard 2.04 challenges you to think about what happens when a fellow professional crosses a line—or when it just feels like they have. The goal isn’t to call people out for every misstep, but to protect clients, uphold professional standards, and address problems thoughtfully.

This blog will break down what Standard 2.04 means, how it shows up on the exam, and what actions you’re expected to take when disputes with colleagues arise. Whether you’re taking the ASWB exam for the first time or reviewing before a retake, this topic deserves your full attention.

Learn more about the ASWB exam and create a personalized ASWB study plan with Agents of Change. We’ve helped tens of thousands of Social Workers pass their ASWB exams and want to help you be next!

1) What Is Section 2.04 Disputes Involving Colleagues?

Section 2.04 of the NASW Code of Ethics focuses on how Social Workers should conduct themselves when disagreements, conflicts, or ethical concerns arise involving other professionals.

two therapists having a gentle dispute talking to each other in a warm office setting, they should be a little aggrevated

These situations may feel uncomfortable, but the way a Social Worker handles them reflects on their commitment to the profession and client welfare. This section provides a framework that ensures disputes are approached with fairness, discretion, and integrity.

Here is the full text of Section 2.04: Disputes Involving Colleagues from the NASW Code of Ethics:

2.04 Disputes Involving Colleagues
(a) Social Workers should not take advantage of a dispute between a colleague and an employer to obtain a position or otherwise advance the Social Workers’ own interests.
(b) Social Workers should not exploit clients in disputes with colleagues or engage clients in any inappropriate discussion of conflicts between Social Workers and their colleagues.
(c) Social Workers should not permit their private conduct to interfere with their ability to fulfill their professional responsibilities or to compromise the professional relationships of colleagues.

Let’s break this down part by part:

Part (a): Professional Opportunism

“Social Workers should not take advantage of a dispute between a colleague and an employer to obtain a position or otherwise advance the Social Workers’ own interests.”
This clause calls out any behavior that seeks personal gain from a colleague’s hardship. For example, if you hear a coworker is being disciplined or in conflict with leadership, it’s unethical to position yourself as their replacement or seek favor based on their situation. The profession demands loyalty to ethical practices, not self-promotion at someone else’s expense.

Part (b): Client Boundaries in Disputes

“Social Workers should not exploit clients in disputes with colleagues or engage clients in any inappropriate discussion of conflicts between Social Workers and their colleagues.”
Clients are not to be pulled into workplace politics. Even if a colleague has wronged you or others, involving clients in the matter—either by gossiping, validating complaints, or fishing for support—is strictly unethical. It crosses the line between professional and personal, and can cause clients to feel confused, anxious, or mistrustful.

Part (c): Personal Conduct and Professionalism

“Social Workers should not permit their private conduct to interfere with their ability to fulfill their professional responsibilities or to compromise the professional relationships of colleagues.”
This part reinforces the idea that your personal life should not affect your professionalism. If you’re going through a rough time outside of work or have personal issues with a colleague, it’s your responsibility to manage those feelings in a way that doesn’t disrupt the workplace. Gossip, hostility, or withdrawing support from a colleague due to unrelated matters can compromise client outcomes and team dynamics.

Each of these subsections serves as a reminder that professionalism goes beyond just doing your job well. It’s about treating colleagues with fairness, setting aside ego, and maintaining the integrity of client relationships. For the ASWB exam, understanding how to apply these ideas to real-life scenarios is crucial.

Agents of Change packages include 30+ ASWB topics, 2 free study groups per month, and hundreds of practice questions so you’ll be ready for test day!

2) Why Understanding Disputes Involving Colleagues Matters on the ASWB Exam

When you’re preparing for the ASWB exam, you’re expected to do more than memorize terminology or identify theories. The test challenges you to think like a Social Worker; to act with integrity, protect clients, and resolve ethical dilemmas in real-world settings.

two therapists having a gentle dispute talking to each other in a warm office setting, a little aggrevated

That’s exactly why Section 2.04: Disputes Involving Colleagues is such an important part of your prep. It evaluates how you handle situations that often fall into gray areas, where the “right” choice isn’t always obvious at first glance.

Ethics Questions Require Sound Judgment

Unlike some areas of the exam that rely heavily on factual recall, questions involving ethics, especially disputes with colleagues, require you to weigh context, relationships, and outcomes. You’ll need to evaluate:

  • What’s at stake for the client?

  • Is this a personal disagreement or an ethical violation?

  • Who should be involved in resolving the issue?

  • What steps follow the Code of Ethics?

Making a hasty or emotionally charged decision, even if your instincts are good, can lead to the wrong answer on the exam. The test favors Social Workers who act thoughtfully, uphold client welfare, and avoid impulsive action.

Common Scenarios That Show Up on the Exam

Here are a few ways Disputes Involving Colleagues might be woven into exam scenarios:

  • A colleague behaves unethically, and you must decide how to respond.

  • You and another Social Worker disagree on a treatment plan.

  • You discover that a coworker has crossed boundaries with a client.

  • A coworker asks you to cover for them after a policy violation.

In each case, you’re asked to respond in a way that protects clients, respects professional relationships, and aligns with NASW ethics.

Key Exam Skills You’ll Need

To answer these questions successfully, you’ll need to apply several core skills:

  • Critical Thinking: What’s really happening beneath the surface of the scenario?

  • Ethical Reasoning: Is there a standard from the NASW Code that applies?

  • Professional Boundaries: Are your actions remaining within your scope?

  • Problem-Solving: What’s the most effective, least harmful next step?

What the Exam Is Really Testing

Here’s what ASWB is really looking for in questions about Disputes Involving Colleagues:

  • Are you prioritizing client welfare?
    That’s always the top concern. If a colleague’s behavior is harming clients, action must be taken, even if it’s uncomfortable.

  • Are you trying to resolve conflict informally first?
    Ethics supports resolving problems directly when possible, rather than jumping to formal complaints.

  • Are you acting with integrity and professionalism?
    Actions based on revenge, resentment, or gossip are a clear red flag on the exam—and in real life.

Watch Out for These Common Mistakes

Knowing what to avoid is just as important as knowing what to do. Here are some missteps that often show up in wrong answer choices:

  • Reporting a colleague too quickly without trying direct resolution first (when safe and appropriate)

  • Involving clients in workplace drama or opinions about other Social Workers

  • Allowing personal bias to interfere with professional judgment

  • Choosing an action that serves the Social Worker’s interest instead of the client’s

Recap: Why This Section Matters

To succeed on the ASWB exam, you need to show that you can:

  • Recognize ethical concerns in professional relationships

  • Take steps that align with the NASW Code of Ethics

  • Protect clients without unfairly damaging colleagues

  • Stay objective, even when emotions are involved

Ethics questions aren’t about perfection—they’re about professionalism. By mastering Section 2.04, you’re preparing for the test and building the foundation for a career rooted in fairness, responsibility, and care.

3) ASWB Practice Question: Disputes Involving Colleagues

A Social Worker is part of a multidisciplinary team in a community mental health clinic. Over the past month, she has observed that a colleague, another Social Worker, has been arriving late to sessions and occasionally missing appointments altogether. Clients have expressed confusion and frustration, and one has even stopped attending therapy. The Social Worker believes her colleague may be struggling with burnout. What is the MOST appropriate first step for the Social Worker to take?

A. Report the colleague to the Social Work licensing board
B. Bring the issue to the attention of a supervisor immediately
C. Speak directly with the colleague to express concern and gather more information
D. Document the clients’ complaints and monitor the situation for further developments

Correct Answer: C. Speak directly with the colleague to express concern and gather more information

Rationale:

Why C is Correct:
Section 2.04 of the NASW Code of Ethics encourages Social Workers to address concerns with colleagues directly when appropriate and safe. This response respects the professional relationship and allows the colleague a chance to explain or correct the behavior. It also shows ethical responsibility without jumping to formal action too soon.

Why A is Incorrect:
Reporting to the licensing board is a serious step, typically reserved for situations involving harm, unethical conduct, or legal violations. Since the problem doesn’t yet rise to that level and no attempt has been made to resolve it informally, this step is premature.

Why B is Incorrect:
Involving a supervisor might eventually be necessary, especially if the behavior continues or worsens. However, according to ethical guidelines, direct resolution with the colleague should be attempted first if it’s safe and feasible.

Why D is Incorrect:
While documenting concerns is a good practice, simply monitoring without taking any action ignores the client’s immediate needs and fails to uphold the standard of care. It shows a lack of timely intervention when client well-being is already affected.

4) FAQs – Code of Ethics: 2.04 Disputes Involving Colleagues

Q: What should I do if I suspect a colleague is acting unethically, but I’m unsure if it’s serious enough to report?

A: When in doubt, always start by assessing whether the colleague’s behavior is putting clients at risk. If the concern is more about work style, personality conflicts, or professional disagreements, the NASW Code of Ethics (Section 2.04) encourages you to speak directly with the colleague in a respectful and private manner, if it’s safe to do so.

The ASWB exam often tests your ability to choose this initial, informal approach when appropriate. If the behavior continues, is harmful, or cannot be resolved directly, then you’re ethically obligated to report through proper channels such as a supervisor, ethics board, or licensing authority.

Q: Will I get questions on the ASWB exam that specifically mention “2.04” or quote the Code of Ethics word-for-word?

A: No, the exam won’t refer to section numbers or include direct quotes from the NASW Code of Ethics. Instead, you’ll be presented with real-world scenarios that test your understanding of ethical standards.

These questions are often subtle and require you to recognize ethical violations and respond appropriately based on core principles, such as client welfare, professional responsibility, and conflict resolution. Studying topics like Disputes Involving Colleagues through examples and case-based practice questions is key to success.

Q: How can I make sure I’m prepared for ethics questions on the ASWB exam, especially ones involving colleagues?

A: Ethics questions are some of the most nuanced on the ASWB exam, so preparation matters. A reliable resource like Agents of Change offers structured study plans, flashcards, and realistic practice questions that help you think through complex dilemmas. Their live study groups provide an opportunity to discuss scenarios with others and hear diverse perspectives. Best of all, with access until you pass, you don’t have to worry about studying “too early.” You can pace yourself, revisit challenging topics like 2.04, and build confidence in your ethical reasoning. Ethics questions won’t catch you off guard if you’ve practiced them well.

5) Conclusion

Understanding Section 2.04: Disputes Involving Colleagues is more than just an exam requirement. It’s a real-world guide to navigating professional conflict with respect, discretion, and integrity. The way you handle these situations reveals a great deal about your readiness to protect clients, maintain professional ethics, and support the profession. On the ASWB exam, these scenarios are designed to see whether you can think clearly, act professionally, and stay grounded in the core values of Social Work.

As you prepare, remember that ethical dilemmas often don’t come with easy answers. Your job isn’t just to choose what feels right, but to make decisions that align with the NASW Code of Ethics. That takes practice, reflection, and a firm grasp on how to respond when things get messy. By taking the time to explore Section 2.04 deeply, you’re strengthening both your exam performance and your long-term professionalism.

► Learn more about the Agents of Change course here: https://agentsofchangeprep.com

About the Instructor, Dr. Meagan Mitchell: Meagan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been providing individualized and group test prep for the ASWB for over 10 years. From all of this experience helping others pass their exams, she created the Agents of Change course to help you prepare for and pass the ASWB exam!

Find more from Agents of Change here:

► Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/aswbtestprep

► Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/agents-of-change-sw

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Disclaimer: This content has been made available for informational and educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or clinical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

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