Engineering Ethics

GE 105 Introduction to Engineering Design

What the difference between law, ethics and morals?

- A law is system of rules established by authority and must obey and have associated punishments when broken.

- Ethics are set of behavioral standards that a member of a profession is expected to follow.

-Morals the accepted standards of right and wrong that are usually applied to personal behavior.

Whistle-Blowing

“Blows the whistle” if the company is involved in corrupt, illegal, fraudulent (fake; false), or harmful activity.

Examples of problems that might warrant whistle-blowing

• Criminal Behavior• Unethical Policies• Threat to Public Safety• Injustices to Workers

What is the correct course of action if you wanted to become a whistle-blower against a company that you are working for?

•1 .If the harm is serious, collect reasonable strong evidence and document the concerns to provide proof when necessary.

•2 .Notify the supervisors (and up to general directors).

•3 .If no action was taken by the company, inform the appropriate authorities, including

the police after asking to remain anonymous .

Conflict of interest

العمل في الشخصية المصلحة دخول

“a conflict between the private interests and the official responsibilities of a person.”

EXAMPLES

• A judge who rules on a case involving a company corruption in which he owns shares

• A manager provides paid consulting services on the weekend to a company customer

• A member of the company board of directors accepts fees and provides advice to a company that is in direct competition with the company on whose board of directors he sits

Professional Codes of Ethics

• Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)

• National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)• Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers

(IEEE)• The American Society of Petroleum Engineers

(ASPE)• American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)• American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)• American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE)

Codes of Ethics of

• National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)

QUESTIONS

Mention the best course of action and the one NSPE reference article that most supports your decision if:

1. You are on the purchasing committee of a company and

your son's company is bidding to supply your company with some material.

2. You are asked by someone to provide your professional opinion about a process outside your area of specialization.

3. Your company is asking you to sign-off work by people working in other departments.

Answers

1. Inform the management of the conflict of interests and remove myself from the committee for the duration of dealings with my son's company issue.

2. Explain that this is not within your specialization area and that you cannot help him.

3. Do not sign.