What was the design flaw in LeMessurier’s building?
Changing from welds to bolts made the building weaker, so strong diagonal quartering winds could cause collapse
Why was LeMessurier criticized for his decisions?
He kept the redesigning process secret for 17 years, so people in the area did not know about the danger. He also lied for Citicorp
How does Martin and Schinzinger define profession? 3 points
- advanced expertise
- self-regulation
- concerted service to public good
How does Fledderman identify profession? 4 points
- sophisticated skill
- formal education
- autonomy in setting standards and self-regulating
- service to the public good
How does Greenwood see the client-professional relationship in regards to authority?
The client is subordinate to professional authority
Between a surgeon, a teacher, and a machinist, what makes only the first 2 jobs a profession?
A machinist does not need underlying theory to be skilled at work. The others require theory and skills
Name 4 purposes of a code of ethics in professions?
- maintain the profession’s reputation and standing
- regulate behaviour among professionals
- reflect aspirational desires
- support ethical behaviour
Name some of the 6 NSPE fundamental canons
- 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 a faithful agent or trustee
- avoid deceptive acts
- conduct themselves honourably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully as as to enhance the honour, reputation, and usefulness of the profession
Name some of the 9 professional obligations in the NSPE code of ethics
- standards of honesty and integrity
- serving the public interest
- deceiving the public
- confidential information
- conflicts of interest
- criticizing other engineers
- injuring the professional reputation of other engineers
- engineers accepting responsibility for their professional activities
- giving credit where credit is due
What is a limitation to codes of ethics?
- Professionals occasionally / rarely refer to the code of ethics
- guidelines can be very vague or general (e.g. striving for sustainable dev)
- guidelines can be contradictory
- codes may come off as self-serving to the profession’s image
What are 2 ways that codes of ethics should be used?
- use as refreshers during periodic training
- use to address ethical dilemmas
What are the 4 virtues of interest in engineering practice?
- honesty (to stakeholders)
- loyalty
- collegiality (get along with coworkers/employers)
- courage
What is the difference between agency-loyalty and attitude loyalty?
agency: attitude conduct of employee to their employers. E.g. doing good work, finishing tasks, refraining from theft
attitude: personal identification in an organization. E.g. motives, attachment, and affirmation to the group which inspire pursuit of excellence
Name the 4 rights and duties attached to professionals?
- right of recognition
- right of conscience
- duty to limit expertise
- teamwork duties
Explain the 2 ways that right of recognition must be acknowledged
- the right to fair compensation for advance expertise and high amounts of training
- non-monetary recognition of skills by getting PEng designations. Right to work on projects and be consulted on their area of expertise
What is conscientious refusal under the right of professional conscience?
Professional cannot be forced to make decisions, accept results, or take positions that are inconsistent with the facts
Name four legal rights of employees in the workplace
- right to fair employment conditions
- privacy rights
- right to equal employment opportunity
- health and safety rights
What is the difference between exempt and non-exempt employees?
Non-exempt are employees covered by Fair Labour Standards Act (FLSA) concerning minimum wages and overtime. Exempt are exceptions to the FLSA which include engineers.
How does “at will” employment lead to discrimination in the workplace?
Employers can lay-off or fire employees substantive reasons. Thus, the employees chosen to be laid-off could be based on biases such as sex, race, etc.
Name the duties of employees in the workplace
- Confidentiality
- conflicts of interest
What is the purpose of a Noncompete clause (NCC)?
NCC is used to restrict ability of employees to transfer skills/expertise from one company to another for higher pay
What are the 2 conditions that conflicts of interest could arise?
- professional is in a role that requires exercising good judgement on behalf of employer/client
- professional has additional interests that could threaten good judgement
What is an example of a potential conflict of interest in the workplace?
An intimate relationship with a coworker could result in:
- sexual harassment at work
- feelings changing that create a difficult work environment
What is an example of an actual conflict of interest in the workplace?
Accepting bribes to benefit another party
Also, Nepotism
