Question

Instructions:

This case is a comprehensive engineering ethics case study aims to cover as much as possible of ethical issues to explain how to apply the NSPE code of ethics. In addition, comprehensive case would improve brainstorming and peer discussion.

A young civil engineering student just graduated from college recently. He is specialized in building design and construction. He is hired as a trainee engineer in an engineering office and working with the senior engineer. After working for a few months, he noticed that his projects are not reviewed by the office’s senior engineer and approval directly for construction. This engineer starts to involve with projects designed for large number of people such as schools and public offices. He is worried that he would make a mistake in his designs and kill someone due to un-reviewed projects. He talked to the office manager who informed him that all projects go through second review by the office’s management engineer who uses a software to verify final results.

After a while, the civil engineer was talking to a project contractor who informed him that all engineering office projects are approved by municipality without check due to the senior engineer professional reputation. Moreover, the contractor is given all office projects because of his friendship with senior engineer. The contractor offered him to leave the engineering office and join him for higher salary. This conversion increased the civil engineer even more and put him in a daily concern of what to do in this situation. What the civil engineer should do?

Answer the following question:

1. 1- What are the civil engineer ethical and moral obligations? (9 POINTS – CLO 1)

2. 2- What is the ethical dilemma in this case? (14 POINTS – CLO 2)

3. 3- What are the ethical issues involved in this case? (12 POINTS – CLO 2)

   Think of Moral or Ethical issues as:

   1. Actions that have the potential to harm others or help others unfairly.

   2. Any negative impact of project, action, or decision

4. 4- (Ethical Framework): (20 POINTS – CLO 4)
   What the civil engineer should do in this case based on NSPE code of ethics – Use two Canons?

5. 5- (Moral Framework): (20 POINTS – CLO 3)
   What the civil engineer should do in this case based on Moral theories and beliefs (e.g. Utilitarianism,

   Virtue Ethics, Duty and Rights Ethics)?

6. 6- (Preventive Ethics): (5 POINTS – CLO 2)
   What could be UNETHICAL or IMMROAL behavior in this case (Choose one)?

Answer 1

1. The moral ethics and obligations of a civil engineer are:

a- Apply his/her technical skills to create, improve, and maintain "beautiful national land", "safe and comfortable livelihood", and "prosperous society".

b- Respect nature while giving the highest priority to safety, welfare, and health of generations today and future, shall endeavour to preserve and work with nature and the global environment for the sustainable development of mankind

c- Value traditional technology rooted in indigenous cultures, also engage in research and development of advanced technology.

d- Perform engineering work from a broad perspective based on his/her specialized expertise and experience regardless of his/her organizational affiliation.

e- Publish reports and express opinions based on expertise

f- Act as an honest agent or trustee of the employer or client in regard to technical work.

g- Treat everyone fairly without any discrimination against race, religion, sex or age.

2. Ethical dilemma in this case is that the Civil Engineer is in a situation where he is offered a high paying job under a contractor who works for the office he is currently working in and at the same time in his office all his designs are being used without verification which may lead to some disaster if he does a mistake. The dilemma in this situation is that he is confused of what he should do. Should he inform the higher authorities about the concern or should he leave his job and work for the contractor?

3. The ethical issues involved in this case are:

a- The projects done by the trainee is not verified by the senior officer.

b- It may lead to some disaster if the trainee makes any mistake in the calculations

c- The projects are being given to a contractor because of good relation with the senior engineer.

d- The municipality is overlooking into this matter.

e- The contractor, taking advantage of this situation is offering a job to the trainee.

4. According to the NSPE code of ethics, fundamental cannons state that:

a - Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public.

b - Avoid deceptive acts.

Therefore, based on these he should be concerned about the safety of the public and take steps so as to make the issue noticeable to the higher authorities and encourage them to take necessary actions so as to resolve this issue. He should turn down the job offer and distance himself from such deceptive act and make the authorities aware of the nature of the contractor. He should be faithful to his office.

5. Based on Utilitarianism, the engineer should keep in mind the outcomes of what will happen if he the work continues in the same manner. If he takes the job offer and leaves the municipality office, there will be hazards continuing with project and it might question public safety. Instead of that he should turn down the job offer and inform the higher authorities about the issue which will help him establish safer measures and his ethics and moral conduct will be prominent. The outcome will be better and safer for the public.

Based on Virtue Ethics which states ethical theories which emphasize virtues of mind and character, the civil engineer should maintain his moral conduct and do what is right i.e take steps to remove the issue of his projects being passed without checking and at the same time inform the authorities about the contractor and his relationship with the senior officer. He should deny the job offered by the contractor and do what is right according to the ethics.

Based on Duty and Rights Ethics, the civil engineer should do what is right i.e take necessary action with the help of higher authorities and remove the issues that are going on. It his duty to ensure proper ethics, hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public, act for his employer or client as faithful agent, and conduct himself honorably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully so as to enhance the honor, reputation, and usefulness of the profession.

6- The Preventive Ethics component tackles recurring ethical concerns by applying quality improvement methods to identify and address ethics gaps on a systems level.

In this case, it would be UNETHICAL or IMMORAL if he takes up the job offered by the contractor and leaves his office where a issue will still remain, concerning the safety of the public.

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