Social worker David Egener loses license after long run of inappropriate behavior in the workplace

June 7, 2012

On April 11, 2012, licensed clinical social worker David R. Egener surrendered his license to the Social Worker section of the Wisconsin Marriage & Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work Examining Board. According to the Board’s document, Egener has, since June 1988, been subject to several employer disciplinary actions relating to professional boundaries and inappropriate workplace behaviors. Such actions include written or verbal warnings in 1988, 1998 and 2000 for professional boundaries with patients; verbal warning in 1988 for allegations of harassment and counseling in 1993, 1996 and 2001 for lack of boundaries, inappropriate confrontation with patients and breach of confidentiality, respectively.

In May 2002, Egener was issued a Last Chance Agreement/Final Written Warning based on inappropriate contact/conversations of sexually explicit content with various staff on multiple occasions which resulted in sexual harassment charges being filed against him.

Since the Last Chance Agreement, the following occurred:

In May 2005, a patient complained of being “grilled in group” sessions;

In January 2010, Egener behaved inappropriately in group sessions, including using inappropriate language;

On February 17, 2010, a patient complained of privacy concerns and unproductive group sessions; and

On July 21, 2010, the mother of a patient that Egener treated reported concern for her daughter’s treatment and Egener’s unprofessional and inappropriate behavior;

On July 22, 2010, Egener’s employer placed him on suspension and initiated an investigation, which revealed unprofessional conduct evidenced by reports of flirting with female clients; “grilling” only female clients in group sessions, never male clients; commenting on female clients’ clothing, such as stating “nice shirt” to females wearing low-cut blouses;
following women down the hallway and asking “Hey, honey, where are you going?” and more.

Egener’s employer terminated him following the investigation. In addition to surrendering his license, Egener must pay the Board its costs of investigation and enforcement, $800.00.

Source: Final Decision and Order in the Matter of the Proceeding Against David R. Egener, Order #0001477, Case No. 10 SOC 049, Wisconsin Marriage & Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work Examining Board.