Mentor Ethics and Professional Standards in Mentoring

Question 1

What is the primary ethical obligation of a mentor regarding confidentiality?

Accepted Answer

To protect information shared by the mentee unless there is a safety or legal obligation to disclose

Answer

To share mentee disclosures with HR to support organizational development

Answer

To document all disclosures and file them with the program coordinator

Answer

To share information with the mentee's manager if it could affect performance

Question 2

What is a 'dual relationship' in mentoring and why is it problematic?

Accepted Answer

When the mentor holds another role relative to the mentee—such as manager, evaluator, or close friend—that creates a conflict of interest

Answer

When a mentor works with two mentees simultaneously

Answer

When two mentors co-facilitate sessions with one mentee

Answer

When mentoring is conducted both formally and informally with the same person

Question 3

When does a mentor have an ethical obligation to break confidentiality?

Accepted Answer

When there is credible risk of harm to the mentee or others, or a legal obligation to report

Answer

When the mentee shares information about a colleague's poor performance

Answer

Whenever the mentee's manager requests information about session content

Answer

When the mentor believes the information could help the organization

Question 4

What is the ethical principle of 'do no harm' in a mentoring context?

Accepted Answer

Ensuring the mentor's advice and actions support the mentee's wellbeing rather than serving the mentor's interests

Answer

Avoiding any feedback that might make a mentee uncomfortable

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Refusing to discuss sensitive or difficult topics in sessions

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Limiting sessions to prevent mentor burnout

Question 5

What should a mentor do if they experience a personal bias toward a mentee?

Accepted Answer

Acknowledge the bias to themselves, seek supervision or reflection, and if necessary disclose it or adjust the relationship

Answer

Immediately refer the mentee to another mentor without explanation

Answer

Ignore the bias and proceed as normal

Answer

Document the bias for HR records

Question 6

What is 'informed consent' as it applies to mentoring?

Accepted Answer

Ensuring the mentee understands and agrees to the nature, scope, boundaries, and confidentiality norms of the mentoring relationship before it begins

Answer

A legal document giving the mentor permission to access the mentee's performance records

Answer

Consent given by the mentee's manager to allow participation

Answer

Agreement to allow sessions to be recorded for training purposes