On Human Dignity and Social Work

Human dignity is a key value found in the profession's code of ethics. It demands that clients be treated respectfully. However, there are different understandings of what dignity means and, in turn, requires of social workers in their efforts to engender respect. This article reviews several understandings of dignity and their practice implications. It also explores understandings of indignity and their implications for avoiding treating clients in an undignified manner. Finally, the paper considers dignity as the foundation of human rights and illustrates some practice implications. The intent of the article is to strengthen social workers' understandings of this contested concept and thereby raise their consciousness of how, provided they are careful about its application, it can inform their morally significant work.