1. An Engineer’s Rights & Responsibilities

2. What is Professionalism?  Highest standards of honesty and integrity  Competence  Exemplary conduct and commitment to profession  Maintain ethical climate Engineer: Capable performance and respect of all others

3. Rights of Engineers Right of professional conscience & moral autonomy Right of conscientious refusal Right to recognition and fair pay

4. Rights as an Employee

5. 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 …

6. Company/Workplace Respect Authority Respect expert opinions, others’ competence How to manage conflict: Managers? Ombudsperson? Organizational office? Demand professional workplace

7. 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!

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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