I-O Ethicist

The I-O Ethicist provides a way for SIOP members to pose ethical questions to a panel of I-O psychologists. Because the ethical questions are posed anonymously, they can only be answered in TIP, SIOPs quarterly publication. There can be no personal responses.

SIOP members must log in using their user name and pass code. If you do not know them, you will be given an opportunity to have them sent to the e-mail address on record at SIOP. If you have recently changed your e-mail address, please fill out the Online Address Change Form.

Although you must log in, your identity will not be disclosed to anyone unless you include personally identifying information in your questions. No IP is recorded.

SIOP reserves the right to edit questions, group similar questions, and refrain from answering some questions. Because TIP is a quarterly publication, please allow a minimum of five months for a published response.

Please reference the article introducing the I-O Ethicist in the July, 2003 issue of TIP. That article mentions several important caveats to consider before providing your inquiry. These include:

• No response provided by a panel member is considered an official SIOP position.
• Responses should not be considered advice, but rather, the panels response given the context and information provided. 
• All identities will be kept strictly confidential. This applies to both those asking the questions and those providing replies. Importantly, inquiries or questions should omit information that might identify you, others, or any organization. Your anonymity can be ensured if you choose not to provide your name or identifying information. If you do provide your name (e.g., in the transmission of the situation), the column editor will recuse him or herself from providing a response and will merely serve as the conduit for providing your question to the panel.
• Editorial discretion will be applied. Because the focus of this column is educating SIOP members about ethics, we may edit your question or situation to enhance the educational value. 
• We cant assure you that your question will be answered. Nor can we promise to respond to a dilemma within a time frame that would assist you in resolving an immediate problem. We hope to be able to answer all questions, but both space and issues of practicality may mean that some issues will not be addressed.
• Responses can only be given to the specifics provided. The value of any response is limited to the specificity of the issue as presented. Clearly, there is a delicate balance between specificity and anonymity.
• Responses reflect the opinion of the panel and have no special standing in the event of a formal ethics charge. If you need legal advice concerning your personal dilemma, we urge you to seek legal counsel.
• Also, please note that the APA Ethics Committee welcomes letters of inquiry as well.