Relationships with Colleagues

PURPOSE: This rule sets forth the ethical standards/disciplinary rules for relationships with colleagues. (1) A licensee should act with integrity in his/her relationships with colleagues, other organizations, agencies, institutions, referral sources, and other professions so as to facilitate the contribution of all colleagues toward achieving optimum benefit for clients. (2) A licensee shall not knowingly cause a client to terminate the service of another professional solely for personal gain. (3) A licensee shall not exploit his/her professional relationships with supervisors, colleagues, supervisees, students, or employees either sexually, economically, or otherwise. (4) A licensee who has direct knowledge of a social work colleague’s impairment which is due to personal problems, psychosocial distress, substance abuse, or mental health difficulties, and which interferes with practice effectiveness should consult with that colleague when feasible and assist the colleague in taking remedial action. (5) A licensee who functions as a supervisor or educator shall not engage in sexual intimacies or contact as defined in the rules promulgated by the committee, with supervisees, students, trainees, or other colleagues over whom they exercise professional authority. (6) A licensee must exercise appropriate supervision and provide appropriate working conditions, timely evaluations, constructive consultation, and experience opportunities. AUTHORITY: sections 337.600 and 337.630, RSMo 2016, and sections 337.615, 337.627, and 337.665, RSMo Supp. 2019.* This rule originally filed as 4 CSR 263-3.060. Original rule filed Sept. 18, 1990, effective Feb. 14, 1991. Rescinded and readopted: Filed Dec. 30, 1998, effective July 30, 1999. Amended: Filed June 25, 2004, effective Dec. 30, 2004. Moved to 20 CSR 2263-3.060, effective Aug. 28, 2006. Rescinded and readopted: Filed Aug. 27, 2009, effective April 30, 2010. Amended: Filed Aug. 30, 2019, effective Feb. 29, 2020. *Original authority: 337.600, RSMo 1989, amended 1995, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010; 337.615, RSMo 1989, amended 1995, 1997, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2014, 2018; 337.627, RSMo 1989, amended 1993, 1995, 1997, 2007, 2018; 337.630, RSMo 1989, amended 1997, 2007; and 337.665, RSMo 2001, amended 2004, 2007, 2018.