ETHICS & PROFESSIONALISM IN THE WORKPLACE

Transcription

1 ETHICS & PROFESSIONALISM IN THE WORKPLACE A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER S RESPONSIBILITY Janet Bradshaw, P. Eng, FEC Professional Standards Director February 15,

2 Janet L. Bradshaw, P. Eng., FEC Graduated from Memorial University in 1981 with B.Sc. (Math) and B.Eng. (Civil) Worked in BC & NL: Mining (coal) 6 years Consulting & Project Management 15 years Senior Organizational Management 13 years PEGNL 3 years 2

3 Why talk about ethics & professionalism? 3

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5 Some Real Life Ethical Cases Hyatt Regency Hotel, Kansas City, 1981 Space Shuttle Challenger, 1986 Citicorp Tower and William LeMessurier,

6 Hyatt Regency Hotel Kansas City Dave Eames The Kansas City Star 6

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9 Hyatt Regency Hotel Kansas City Photo - Exponent 9

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11 What is a Profession anyway?...a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive preparation including instruction in skills and methods as well as in the scientific, historical, or scholarly principles underlying such skills and methods, maintaining by force of organization or concerned opinion high standards of achievement and conduct, and committing its members to continued study and to a kind of work which has for its prime purpose the rendering of a public service. Webster s Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged. Merriam-Webster Inc.,

12 Self-Regulated Profession Substantial body of knowledge Intensive study Expertise Continued professional development License holder organization sanctioned by law Self-governance High performance standards Ethical conduct and good judgment Discipline Public Good Duty to the public is paramount 12

13 What is Engineering? Engineering is the profession in which a knowledge of the mathematical and natural sciences, gained by study, experience and practice, is applied with judgment to develop ways to utilize economically the materials and forces of nature for the benefit of mankind. -Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) 13

14 Engineers Canada Definition any act of planning, designing, composing, evaluating, advising, reporting, directing or supervising, or managing any of the foregoing, that requires the application of engineering principles and that concerns the safeguarding of life, health, property, economic interests, the public welfare or the environment. 14

15 Engineering Definition from the Act (h) "practice of engineering" means reporting on, advising on, evaluating, designing, preparing plans and specifications for or directing the construction, technical inspection, maintenance or operation of a structure, work or process (i) that is aimed at the discovery, except by the practice of geoscience, development or utilization of matter, materials or energy or is designed for the use and convenience of human beings, and (ii) that requires in the reporting, advising, evaluating, designing, preparation or direction the professional application of the principles of mathematics, chemistry, physics or a related applied subject, and includes providing educational instruction on the matters contained in this paragraph to a student at an educational institution but excludes practising as a natural scientist;..engineers and Geoscientists Act, Article 2(h) 15

16 Engineering Professionalism The rights afforded to professional engineers by legislation self-regulation, technical and professional independence, and the public s trust require professional engineers to uphold the highest standards of professional behaviour. It is through daily, individual actions that professional engineers influence the reputation of the profession as a whole. Engineers Canada Concepts of Professionalism,

17 What is PEGNL? Professional Engineers and Geoscientists Newfoundland and Labrador Founded in 1952, Geoscientists included in 1988 Regulates practices of engineering and geoscience Sets admission standards (education, experience, etc.) Licenses engineers and geoscientists who then take personal responsibility for their work 17

18 What is PEGNL? (cont d) Professional Engineers and Geoscientists Newfoundland and Labrador Licenses companies that offer services to the public (mainly consulting companies) Publishes a Code of Ethics Publishes Practice Guidelines Enforces standards of professional conduct (discipline) 18

19 Protected Titles Titles Protected under PEGNL Legislation: Professional Engineer P. Eng. Eng. L. Engineer Engineering 19

20 Challenger Space Shuttle Photo - Virginia Media 20

21 Challenger Fuel Tank O-Rings Image University of Toronto 21

22 Roger Boisjoly fought to stop launch Photo Associated Press 22

23 Night Before the Launch Boisjoly & some of his colleagues argued persistently & vigorously for hours with Thiokol management At first management agreed & recommended a launch delay to NASA NASA was appalled & challenged the recommendation Thiokol management succumbed to NASA pressure & overruled Boisjoly 23

24 Roger Boisjoly "I fought like Hell to stop that launch. I'm so torn up inside I can hardly talk about it, even now. He wondered if he had done enough but knew he had been talking to the right people the ones who could stop the launch. He later traveled to engineering schools around the world, speaking about ethical decision-making and sticking with data. 24

25 Boisjoly s Ethics He's one of a very small group of people who have had the courage of their convictions. He took the matter into his own hands and dealt with it by going public on a whistle-blowing campaign. And now he's sort of blacklisted. To those of us who do work in the ethics area, he's a hero. William Middleton, Ethics Committee Chairman, Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 25

26 PEGNL Code of Ethics Bylaw of the Act (It is Law) Binding & Enforceable; Not just a guide Contravening the Code can be unprofessional conduct or unskilled practice Applies to employees & independent practitioners Important for work-term students as well Training for professional career Expected behaviour in professional work environment 26

27 Code of Ethics for Professional Engineers and Geoscientists Professional engineers and geoscientists shall recognize that professional ethics are founded upon integrity, competence and devotion to service and to the advancement of human welfare. This concept shall guide professional engineers and geoscientists at all times. Professional engineers and geoscientists shall conduct themselves in an honourable and ethical manner. Professional engineers and geoscientists shall uphold the values of truth, honesty and trustworthiness and safeguard human life and welfare and the environment. In keeping with these basic tenets, professional engineers and geoscientists shall: 27

28 Code of Ethics for Professional Engineers and Geoscientists (cont d) professional engineers & geoscientists shall: a) hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public and the protection of the environment and promote health and safety within the workplace; b) offer services or advise on or undertake assignments only in areas of their competence and practice in a careful and diligent manner; c) act as faithful agents of their clients or employers, maintain confidentiality and avoid conflicts of interest; 28

29 Code of Ethics for Professional Engineers and Geoscientists (cont d) d) keep themselves informed in order to maintain their competence, strive to advance the body of knowledge within which they practice and provide opportunities for the professional development of their subordinates; e) conduct themselves with equity, fairness, courtesy and good faith towards clients, colleagues and others, give credit where it is due, and accept, as well as give, honest and fair professional criticism; 29

30 Code of Ethics for Professional Engineers and Geoscientists (cont d) f) present clearly to employers and clients the possible consequences if their professional decisions or judgements are overruled or disregarded; g) report to their association or other appropriate agencies any illegal or unethical engineering or geoscience decisions or practices by engineers, geoscientists or others; and 30

31 Code of Ethics for Professional Engineers and Geoscientists (cont d) h) endeavour to interpret engineering and geoscience issues to the public in an objective and truthful manner. 31

32 Your Employment Contract Employer has Authority to direct the work Authority to set work schedule (standards apply) Duty to provide a safe workplace Duty to treat all employees in respectful manner Employee must Perform duties with proper care and diligence Use employer s assets with care Not disclose employer s confidential information Work professionally and ethically. 32

33 Aids to Ethical Decision Making Internal Moral Compass (what you know) Ethics Theories Code of Ethics Peers PEGNL Case Studies/Past Practices 33

34 Example No. 1 Many desktop computers come with games already installed on them. In addition, there are many websites where users can down-load games onto their computers. 1. Is it okay to play computer games at work? 2. How about during lunch? 3. After hours? (Charles B. Fledderman, Engineering Ethics, Prentice Hall, 1999, P99) 34

35 Answer (Example No. 1) The computer at work is your employer s equipment. As a faithful agent (article c) you use it only for your employer s purposes. This also applies outside of working hours unless you have specific permission. 35

36 Example No. 2 Oliver is in the last week of his co-op work term. His work report is due next week. He has enjoyed his work term and has worked on interesting projects but he was too busy to write anything down. He is worried he is running out of time and he mentions this to his boss, a professional engineer with whom he is on very good personal terms. The boss suggests he could save a lot of time by submitting an older work report written by a former student. Should Oliver recycle a work report since his boss suggested it? (Gordon C. Andrews, Engineering Ethics, Nelson, 2014, P274) 36

37 Answer (Example No. 2) A person who submits a report written by someone else is committing copyright theft (plagiarism). It is both dishonest and illegal Every Code of Ethics or ethical theory condemns plagiarism as unethical, either directly or indirectly Oliver should resist the temptation to submit a plagiarized work report, get busy and use the remaining week to write his report. NB PEGNL receives allegations/complaints against professional members relating to plagiarism 37

38 Example No. 3 Sarah, a coop engineering student, has had several work term interviews and receives an offer from Alternate Power. It s not what she really wants but it s a good technical job with good pay. She accepts and feels she has made a good decision. Several days later she receives an outside offer from Digital Developers. Sarah really wants this job because it is just the kind of experience she was looking for. Is it okay for Sarah to take the job with Digital provided that she calls Alternate Power and explains? 38

39 Answer (Example No. 3) Code of ethics article (d) says, Professional engineers and geoscientists shall conduct themselves with equity, fairness, courtesy and good faith towards clients, colleagues and others When Sarah accepted the position with Alternate Power she had entered into a contract with them (even if the employment contract had not yet been written or signed). Sarah should honour that contract. 39

40 LeMessurier & Citicorp Tower NY Times 40

41 Flat Face Wind Load Quartering Wind Load 41

42 William LeMessurier PHOTO: The New York Times 42

43 LeMessurier sums it up You have a social obligation. In return for getting a license and being regarded with respect, you re supposed to be self-sacrificing and look beyond the interests of yourself and your client to society as a whole. And the most wonderful part of my story is that when I did it, nothing bad happened 43

44 Professional Workplace Ethics Strive for Excellence Be Trustworthy Be Courteous & Respectful Be Honest, Open & Transparent Be Competent & Improve Continually Play by the Rules Be Honourable & Act with Integrity Be Respectful of Confidentiality Set Good Examples 44

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