how to DSW
You are a disability support worker (DSW).
You do not work with this participant at all, in any home.
You work for the same company as the participant’s support workers.
You have their consent to be friends.
You want to be friendly off-duty and off-the-clock, without it becoming a professional conflict.
1. Make Sure Consent and Boundaries Are Clear
Even with consent:
Both of you should acknowledge the relationship is personal, not professional.
You should avoid situations where your role at the same company could influence their care.
It’s smart to document or notify your manager that you will be friends in a personal capacity (some workplaces require this to prevent conflicts of interest).
2. Keep It Non-Work Related
Since you don’t work with them, you can:
Chat about hobbies, sports, music, gaming, or social events.
Meet in public places, go to cafés, movies, or community events together.
Text, call, or connect on social media—but avoid anything related to their care or your company role.
Do Not:
Offer care services (personal care, transportation, therapy).
Discuss their support plan, health issues, or staff performance.
Post anything online that could breach privacy.
3. Maintain Professional Safety
Even though you aren’t their worker, working for the same company means:
Avoid situations where colleagues could misinterpret the friendship as professional.
Don’t let the friendship influence your work decisions or access to company information.
4. Be Transparent
It’s helpful to:
Tell your manager or HR (if company policy requires).
Keep any interactions friendly, respectful, and personal, not connected to work.
5. Examples of Safe “Friendship” Interactions
Meeting at a café for a chat.
Going to a movie or community event together.
Sending funny memes or messages about hobbies.
Participating in a hobby or interest group together.
All without ever linking it to their care or your company work.
Key Rule: Since you don’t work with them at all, the friendship is safe as long as it’s purely personal, consented to, and doesn’t involve professional duties.