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ENGINEERING ETHICS

2. Engineering Ethics. Engineering Ethics combine rules for professional behavior and profession-wide commitment to serve the publicHonestyPerforming your duties in a fair and equitable mannerThis extends beyond an individual's sense of right and wrongExtends beyond cultural or legal lines. 3. E

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ENGINEERING ETHICS

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    1. 1 ENGINEERING ETHICS

    2. 2 Engineering Ethics Engineering Ethics combine rules for professional behavior and profession-wide commitment to serve the public Honesty Performing your duties in a fair and equitable manner This extends beyond an individual’s sense of right and wrong Extends beyond cultural or legal lines

    3. 3 Ethical Dilemmas Situations evolving from conflicts between sets of moral considerations Loyalty to employer, customer, general public Due to varying groups with differing interests within the “general public”, the concept of public welfare may be vague Guidelines for resolution of these ethical dilemmas come from personally adopting one of several Codes of Ethics

    4. 4 NSPE NSPE Code of Ethics for Engineers Preamble Fundamental Canons Rules of Practice Professional Obligations

    5. 5 NSPE Code of Ethics (Preamble) Engineering is an important and learned profession. As members of this profession, engineers are expected to exhibit the highest standards of honesty and integrity. Engineering has a direct and vital impact on the quality of life for all people. Accordingly, the services provided by engineers require honesty, impartiality, fairness, and equity, and must be dedicated to the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare. Engineers must perform under a standard of professional behavior that requires adherence to the highest principles of ethical conduct.

    6. 6 Fundamental Canons (NSPE) Engineers, in the fulfillment of their professional duties, shall: Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public. Perform services only in areas of their competence. Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner. Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees. Avoid deceptive acts. Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully so as to enhance the honor, reputation, and usefulness of the profession.

    7. 7 Safety, Health, Welfare of Public Notify client and appropriate authority of circumstances that endanger life or property. Approve only engineering documents that conform with applicable standards. Report alleged Code violations to appropriate professional bodies and, when relevant, to public authorities

    8. 8 Work Only in Area of Competence Undertake assignments only when qualified by specific technical education or experience. Do not sign plans or documents when you lack competence or supervisory control.

    9. 9 Issue Truthful and Objective Public Statements Be objective and truthful in professional reports, statements, or testimony. Publicly express technical opinions founded upon facts and competence.

    10. 10 Act as Faithful Agent Disclose all known or potential conflicts of interest Do not accept compensation from more than one party for services pertaining to the same project, without full disclosure and agreement.

    11. 11 Avoid Deceptive Acts X deceives Y if X denies what is the case, or X asserts what is not the case, or X conceals information from Y, or X even fails to reveal information to Y which is important for Y, or which Y should customarily expect X to reveal to Y, given X’s relationship to Y

    12. 12 Avoid Deceptive Acts Do not falsify or misrepresent qualifications or pertinent facts pertaining to you or your associates. Do not offer, give, solicit or receive, (directly or indirectly) a bribe or “kick-back.” Avoid any appearance of impropriety.

    13. 13 Professional Obligations Acknowledge errors, accept personal responsibility, do not distort or alter facts. Advise clients or employers when you believe a project will not be successful. Do not promote your own interest at the expense of the profession. Serve the public at all times Avoid issuing statements with factual errors or omissions

    14. 14 Still More Professional Obligations Do not, without consent, use specific knowledge from one project to gain new employment. Do not, without consent, use equipment, supplies, etc … of employer for private practice. Give credit where due; recognize the proprietary interests of others.

    15. 15 It That It? No! There are a lot of “details” which you should look up for yourself http://www.nspe.org/ethics/eh1-code.asp http://www.asme.org http://www.ieee.org http:/www.tbpe.state.tx.us/ See “Ethics Quiz”, part of license application Ethics codes are voluntarily subscribed to, but widely accepted as behavioral models

    16. 16 Texas Engineering Practice Act

    17. 17 It’s The Law!

    18. 18 Ethics in Engineering: What We Can Do vs. What We Should Do

    19. 19 How to Handle the Ethical Dilemma Be sure of facts; if reporting unethical behavior be certain your position is solid and well documented Avenues for recourse If no harm yet, try to resolve privately; informal without any personal attacks If private resolution won’t work, go to first line management; timely actions can avoid further problems If first line management won’t act, many companies have a formal procedure

    20. 20 When All Else Fails, The Last Resort If harm to public is serious and considerable & all corporate channels of action do not provide satisfactory resolution, then external “whistle blowing” is morally permissible (required?) Must have well documented evidence that would convince reasonable, impartial observer Must be strong evidence that public notice will prevent serious harm.

    21. 21 More on Whistle Blowing What type of problems might warrant whistle blowing? Gross incompetence Criminal behavior Major public safety threat Major un-addressed threat to company employees

    22. 22 Personal Ethics Examples of everyday “violations” Copying software,CD or DVD Copying homework or exams “Borrowing” pens, pencils, paper clips, from employer Using work copy machine for personal use “Fudging” your income taxes

    23. 23 Reasonable Care Model of Responsibility As a professional, you have a duty to perform to accepted standards unless those standards are below those that a non-professional would adopt If so, you should apply the tougher standard If at a given time, this standard should apply and you fail (or neglect) to apply it at that time, and harm is caused to someone as a result of your failure You are then responsible for the negligent act!

    24. 24 Ethics Summary Engineer’s have a moral and social responsibility, they are not just hired help A corporation is only as ethical as it’s people You can be held personally and legally responsible for your actions as a professional, regardless of your position It is important to know and understand your employer’s ethical standards and they should figure into your employment decision

    25. 25 END

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