What should be considered when terminating HCWs for committing fiscal improprieties?
A. It should be considered whether an act was intentionally committed for financial gain or whether it was human error or a lapse in judgment. Claiming hours not worked may be a matter of miscommunication or discrepancies in record keeping, indicating human error. However, if a substantial number of hours were claimed without the client’s knowledge or authorization, it was most likely done for financial gain. A lapse in judgment may occur when the boundaries between employer/employee become blurred, particularly if the HCW is a family member or a friendship develops between the client and HCW. Although it is discouraged, a client may offer to take a HCW out to lunch, offer gifts, or loan money to the HCW. The HCW might accept these gestures as a sign of friendship and not a violation of professional boundaries. At Orientation, it is important to address professional boundaries, tracking hours worked, and keeping separate receipts. If a HCW is being terminated based on fiscal impropriet
