Transcript Methodology for Analyzing Ethics Case Studies

An Engineer’s Rights &
Responsibilities
What is Professionalism?
Engineer: Capable
performance and
respect of all others
Highest standards of honesty
and integrity
Competence
Exemplary conduct and
commitment to profession
Maintain ethical climate
Rights of Engineers
Right of
professional
conscience &
moral
autonomy
Right of
conscientious
refusal
Right to
recognition
and fair pay
Rights as an Employee
Computer Privacy
Equal Opportunity
Discrimination?
Sexual
Harassment?
Can company pry?
Unfair treatment
due to religion or
ethnicity?
Etc…
Engineering is
Teamwork
Engineers must maintain
responsibility to other engineers,
teams, corporate management,
client and customers
Management must set
professional moral environment
through policies & practice
Understand how to resolve
conflicts within work structure
Personal conduct
Work ethic
Dress code
Breaks
Decorations in workspace
…
Respect
Authority
Demand
professional
workplace
Company/Workplace
How to manage conflict:
Managers? Ombudsperson?
Organizational office?
Respect expert
opinions,
others’
competence
Confidentiality
 Confidentiality
 What to keep secret?
 When to speak up?
 Proprietary Information
 Disclosure to others can hurt company
 All companies and organizations have right
to some secrets
 A thought: does this include secrecy on
poor practice, unethical policies, improper
practices, etc?
 Employee contracts – you usually
have one. Make sure you read it!
Conflict of Interest
 Be careful of situations that, if pursued, could keep
you as employee from fulfilling your obligation to
company
 Gifts, bribes, kickbacks
 Interest in other companies (owning stock in a
supplier you have authority in selecting)
 Insider information (impact on stocks)
 Changing jobs
 Confidentiality of former employer always in place!
 Do have right to use expertise and experience gained
for new employer
Boeing / Air Force Example
Whistle-Blowing
 What is whistle- blowing?
 Disclosure by an employee OUTSIDE
approved channels, to an individual or
group that may take action
 Typically, topic is SIGNIFICANT MORAL
PROBLEM – such as public safety
 Example: BART Case
How Do We Decide?
 The law allows that whistle-blowing is
permissible and obligatory
if
 Potential or actual harm is serious
 Harm is documented
 Concerns have been reported to superiors
 Employee has exhausted all other reporting
channels
 Example: Your Team Case Study 1 – The
Space Shuttle Challenger
There will always be
cases that are unclear
– we must make the
best decision possible
Whistle-Blowing Procedures
If at all possible, work through channels –
keep supervisors informed in writing
Understand company rules for making
complaints and appeals BEFOREHAND – consult
a lawyer if necessary
STAY OBJECTIVE – Be accurate, document
everything
Address issue(s) in expedient manner –
Consider consulting professional society ethics
committee
Avoid personal criticism – stick to facts –
consult trusted colleagues