Ethics and the ASWB Exam: 3.09 Commitments to Employers

1) What Is Section 3.09 Commitments to Employers?

Section 3.09 of the NASW Code of Ethics addresses how Social Workers should ethically conduct themselves within the organizations and agencies that employ them. It’s a crucial part of the broader section titled “Ethical Responsibilities in Practice Settings”.

While Social Workers are primarily committed to the well-being of clients, they also hold ethical responsibilities to their employers. Understanding these responsibilities is vital for both effective practice and passing the ASWB exam.

Here is the full text of Section 3.09: Commitments to Employers, as written in the NASW Code of Ethics:

(a) Social Workers generally should adhere to commitments made to employers and employing organizations.
(b) Social Workers should work to improve employing agencies’ policies and procedures and the efficiency and effectiveness of their services.
(c) Social Workers should act to prevent and eliminate discrimination in the employing organization’s work assignments and in its employment policies and practices.
(d) Social Workers should accept employment or arrange student field placements only in organizations that exercise fair personnel practices.
(e) Social Workers should be diligent stewards of the resources of their employing organizations, wisely conserving funds where appropriate and never misappropriating funds or using them for unintended purposes.

Let’s break down each of these parts so you can fully understand what’s being asked of Social Workers in professional settings.

(a) Adhering to Commitments

This part establishes a foundational expectation: follow through on what you’ve agreed to do. If you’ve signed on to specific duties, schedules, or job responsibilities, the ethical thing is to honor those commitments. However, there’s a built-in understanding that this compliance must remain consistent with the broader NASW Code of Ethics. So if a conflict arises between employer policy and ethical standards, the Code takes precedence.

(b) Improving Agency Practices

Social Workers are encouraged to help their agencies evolve and operate more effectively. This doesn’t mean just doing your job quietly, it means being proactive. If a policy isn’t working or a system is failing clients, you’re ethically called to speak up and suggest improvements. Efficiency and quality of service aren’t just organizational goals; they’re ethical imperatives in this context.

(c) Addressing Discrimination

This subsection puts the focus squarely on equity and justice within the workplace. If there’s discrimination in hiring, promotions, or job assignments, Social Workers have an obligation to act. That could mean advocating internally, documenting issues, or pushing for policy reviews. Staying silent in the face of injustice isn’t considered ethically neutral; it’s seen as a failure to meet your professional responsibility.

(d) Choosing Ethical Workplaces and Placements

Before taking a job or setting up a field placement, Social Workers should evaluate whether the organization practices fairness in how it treats staff. This section reminds us that ethics aren’t just about what you do once you’re employed; they begin with the choices you make about where and how you work. Accepting a role in a discriminatory or abusive environment could be seen as unethical in itself.

(e) Stewardship of Resources

This final part centers on financial and operational integrity. Social Workers are expected to treat organizational resources—funds, time, equipment—with respect. Misuse, waste, or fraud isn’t just a legal issue; it’s an ethical one. Even when resources feel abundant or loosely tracked, professionals are still expected to use them wisely and appropriately.

Taken together, these five components of Section 3.09 paint a clear picture: Social Workers must balance loyalty to their employers with an unwavering commitment to ethical, equitable, and client-centered practice.

The ASWB exam will expect you to recognize and respond to these ethical demands in a variety of contexts. Understanding the full depth of this section means you’re one step closer to passing—and even more importantly, to practicing with integrity.

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 3.09 Commitments to Employers Matters on the ASWB Exam

Ethics are an essential part of the ASWB exam, and Section 3.09, Commitments to Employers, carries significant weight. This section of the NASW Code of Ethics highlights how Social Workers are expected to navigate their responsibilities within organizations, all while upholding ethical practice.

On the exam, you will not be asked to simply recall definitions or match terms. Instead, you will be required to apply ethical principles in realistic and often complex situations where client needs and workplace demands intersect.

Balancing Responsibilities to Clients and Employers

Social Workers have two key roles: serving clients and functioning as employees within structured organizations. Sometimes those roles can conflict.

For instance, what should you do if your agency expects you to limit session time, but you know your client needs more support? Or what if an organization enforces a policy that compromises confidentiality?

Scenarios like these may appear on the ASWB exam in various forms, including questions about:

Being asked to discharge clients early to meet quotas
Following documentation procedures that may expose private client data
Witnessing inequity in hiring or promotions
Managing budget cuts that directly affect the quality of care

In all of these examples, the exam is testing your ability to uphold ethical standards while still navigating your role as an employee.

Recognizing Less Obvious Ethical Challenges

Not every ethical conflict will be spelled out clearly. Often, the most challenging scenarios on the exam are those where something feels off but is not obviously wrong. Understanding Section 3.09 helps you catch these subtle issues before they become serious problems.

Some of these less obvious red flags might include:

Quiet pressure to ignore agency problems
Accepting workplace norms that disadvantage clients
Downplaying discrimination to maintain harmony
Misusing agency resources with good intentions

These are the kinds of situations where Social Workers must rely on their ethical foundation to guide them toward the right choice.

What the ASWB Exam Is Looking For

The ASWB exam is not simply looking to see if you know what the Code says. It assesses whether you can apply what you know under pressure, particularly in situations with no perfect solution. Section 3.09 plays a major role in these types of questions because it touches on the real-world tensions Social Workers regularly face.

Competencies related to this section may include:

Identifying appropriate responses to employer-client conflicts
Knowing when and how to address workplace issues ethically
Advocating for clients while maintaining professionalism
Understanding your place within the agency’s chain of command

Your ability to think critically and ethically, while considering both organizational and client perspectives, is exactly what the exam is designed to test.

Where 3.09 Fits Across Multiple Exam Areas

Although Section 3.09 falls under ethical responsibilities, it can show up across different domains of the ASWB exam.

It may appear in questions related to:

Direct practice: When workplace policies affect service delivery
Supervision and consultation: When your supervisor gives questionable direction
Administration and policy: When you are part of agency-level decision-making
Research and evaluation: When you are asked to manipulate data for favorable outcomes

Being comfortable with this section improves your readiness across these topics and helps you make choices that align with the profession’s values.

Final Thoughts: Ethics and Confidence Go Hand in Hand

Section 3.09 may seem like a small part of the NASW Code, but it speaks to one of the most common ethical challenges Social Workers face. The ability to remain true to your clients while functioning within systems is not just theory; it is your daily reality. The ASWB exam will reflect that.

To prepare effectively, you need more than a textbook. You need support that teaches you how to think through scenarios and make grounded decisions. Agents of Change offers exactly that, with live study groups, flashcards, detailed practice questions, and access that lasts until you pass. Their study plans are designed to keep you focused and on track from the very first day.

Understanding Section 3.09 is more than test prep. It is a reflection of how you will show up for clients, coworkers, and yourself. Learn it well, and you will carry that confidence into the exam and into your career.

3) ASWB Practice Question: Commitments to Employers

A Social Worker employed by a community mental health clinic is told by her supervisor to reduce the number of sessions she offers to each client to make room for new intakes. The Social Worker is concerned that this change may negatively affect the progress of her existing clients, some of whom are in the middle of trauma-focused treatment. What is the Social Worker’s best course of action?

A) Follow the supervisor’s directive since it supports the clinic’s operational goals
B) Refer her current clients to outside providers who can offer longer-term care
C) Speak with the supervisor to express her ethical concerns and discuss alternatives
D) Notify the licensing board about the agency’s policies regarding client care

Correct Answer: C) Speak with the supervisor to express her ethical concerns and discuss alternatives

Rationale:

This response best reflects the expectations outlined in Section 3.09 of the NASW Code of Ethics: Commitments to Employers, which encourages Social Workers to address concerns internally while upholding ethical responsibilities. The Social Worker is respecting her commitment to her employer but also acting on her obligation to protect the client’s well-being. Opening a conversation with the supervisor allows space to advocate for ethical practice and possibly identify a compromise or policy adjustment.

Let’s break down why the other options are incorrect:

A ignores the ethical concern and prioritizes employer goals at the expense of client care. This could be seen as a failure to advocate for client needs.
B may seem client-focused, but it’s a premature response that bypasses the opportunity to resolve the issue within the agency.
D escalates the situation too quickly. Reporting to the licensing board should be considered only after reasonable internal efforts have been made and if ethical concerns remain unresolved.

By choosing option C, the Social Worker is acting in alignment with both ethical standards and professional responsibility, exactly what the ASWB exam is designed to assess.

4) FAQs – Code of Ethics: 3.09 Commitments to Employers

Q: How should a Social Worker handle a conflict between their employer’s policies and the NASW Code of Ethics?

A: When employer policies contradict the NASW Code of Ethics, the Social Worker’s ethical obligation is to uphold the Code. The first step should always involve addressing the issue within the organization, such as through supervision, documentation, or formal internal channels.

Section 3.09 emphasizes the importance of honoring commitments to employers as long as those commitments are consistent with ethical standards. If internal efforts fail and the ethical concern remains unresolved or harms clients, the Social Worker may then need to seek external guidance or file a formal complaint with a licensing board or regulatory body. The goal is to advocate for ethical change without acting rashly or creating unnecessary harm to the workplace environment.

Q: Will Section 3.09 be directly tested on the ASWB exam, or is it more of a background concept?

A: While you may not see a question that says “According to Section 3.09…” directly, the principles and scenarios tied to Commitments to Employers are testable. The ASWB exam frequently includes situational questions that ask how a Social Worker should respond when employer demands seem to compromise client care, ethical practice, or professional integrity.

These questions require a solid understanding of Section 3.09, particularly how to balance responsibilities, advocate ethically within an organization, and follow the correct chain of action. The exam is built to assess your judgment in real-world ethical dilemmas, not just textbook knowledge.

Q: What’s the best way to study Section 3.09 and similar ethics topics for the ASWB exam?

A: The most effective way to study Section 3.09 is to combine reading the NASW Code of Ethics with active application through realistic practice questions, scenario-based learning, and structured study plans. Agents of Change offers a comprehensive approach to mastering ethics for the ASWB exam.

Their platform includes flashcards, detailed practice exams with rationales, and twice-monthly live study groups that explore ethical scenarios like those tied to Section 3.09. Plus, you get access until you pass, so you can start studying early and stay on track without worrying about time limits. Ethics requires depth of understanding, and Agents of Change is built to guide you through every layer.

5) Conclusion

Understanding Section 3.09 of the NASW Code of Ethics, Commitments to Employers, is more than a test requirement. It is a reflection of how Social Workers navigate the often complicated relationship between professional ethics and organizational expectations. On the ASWB exam, questions related to this section are designed to measure your ability to make ethical decisions that prioritize client welfare while maintaining respect for your role within an agency.

Mastering this topic means recognizing that ethical Social Work does not happen in isolation. It involves working within systems, advocating for necessary change, and making thoughtful choices when faced with conflict. Whether it is dealing with discriminatory practices, resource limitations, or questionable policies, Section 3.09 provides clear guidance on how to proceed with integrity. Practicing how to handle these scenarios will prepare you not just for exam day, but for your everyday work as a professional Social Worker.

► 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.

Ethics and the ASWB Exam: 3.09 Commitments to Employers

Ethics and the ASWB Exam: 3.09 Commitments to Employers