What’s so difficult?  Just do the right thing…..right? 

Ethics is what guides us to tell the truth, keep our promises, or help someone in need in everyday life. There is a framework of ethics built into every business, and each individual, to guide in making the “right” decision.  

So why is it that, within every state’s Continuing Education requirement, across various professions, a mandated Ethics credit is specified? Isn’t it easy to remember to “Just do the right thing?” Not always, unless doing the right thing is foremost in your mind.

Think about safety for instance. It’s standard throughout our industry to require a “Safety Minute” at the beginning of a meeting or hold a “tailgate” safety session before fieldwork begins. It is a way to bring safety to the forefront and make us think about the tasks at hand.  In the same framework, taking an Ethics course each year makes us cognizant of challenges that can be faced as the world becomes more complicated and business opportunities become more complex.  In other words, it’s good for all of us to be reminded of our obligations as professionals. It’s important to know that every member of our project team is using the same guiding principles.

How about a little refresher course (sorry, I don’t think this will quite count for your Continuing Education)

As an engineer, the National Society of Professional Engineers has outlined “Nine Steps to Ethical Engineering Decisions.” Upon review, these steps translate across each profession within our industry. 

Many Ethics courses are Case Studies describing situations that put Engineers in awkward situations that risk their professionalism and ethics. They are very well thought out, describing the Engineer’s dilemma.  Many times, “the right thing” is easy to see. Sometimes there are circumstances that cloud the Engineer’s judgment. However, the answer becomes clear when following the Nine Steps referenced above. The process is very similar to the analytical problem-solving techniques we were all taught in college (just applied to Ethical decision-making). 

These steps are:

1. Stop and think. Simply put, step back from the situation and reflect on the big picture. This includes studying relative information and noting the ramifications of the decision (to the public, client, employer, and Engineer).

2. Clarify goals. Is this an ethical or legal situation or both? What is the preferred outcome?

3. Determine facts known and unknown. Throw out speculation, assumptions, and any unsubstantiated information. Are there missing facts or legal and ethical resources that can be researched to help fill in the unknown?

4. Develop options. Identify ALL options available.

5. Consider foreseeable results of options. Perform a risk/benefit analysis. Make it quasi-quantitative if preferred. In the end, if honest, one option should stand out as the best. However, don’t act on the option until….

6. NSPE Ethics resources are referenced; and

7. State registration law is referenced; and

8. Respected and trusted people are consulted. These persons could be family, friends, co-workers, state Board, legal or subject matter experts. Use all trusted resources available to make an informed decision. It is very possible that, through this process it may be discovered that there may have (or may have not) been an unintentional bias in Step 5. NEVER make a decision such as this in a vacuum.

9. Decide the course of action and take it. Once a decision is made, act on it. It’s true that not making a decision on an issue (or making a decision and not acting on it) is itself like making a decision…..and it’s typically the wrong decision. The integrity of our profession is the responsibility of all Professional Engineers.

At Percheron, we take these Rules of Practice and Professional Obligations very seriously.  Cumulatively, we have Professional Engineering licenses in 38 states. We are proud of these achievements and honored to be called Professional Engineers. Similarly, our professional surveyors, landmen, right of way agents, document specialists, title agents, HR team, accounting, etc. each take their various organization’s ethics guidelines and regulations seriously and have built them into the framework for all of Percheron’s business practices. 

On a personal note, the Rules of Practice, the Professional Obligations, and the Engineers’ Creed haven’t changed much since my father was president of the West Virginia Society of Professional Engineers in 1983 (the year I received my license from the state). The photo below is of a needlework that my mother stenciled and made for me using the Engineers’ Creed wording in effect during that period.

The most recent wording is:

As a Professional Engineer, I dedicate my professional knowledge to the advancement and betterment of public health, safety, and welfare.

I pledge:

• To give the utmost of performance;

• To participate in none but Honest enterprise;

• To live and work according to the highest standards of professional conduct; and

• To place service before profit, the honor and standing of the profession before personal advantage, and the public welfare above all other considerations.

In humility, I make this pledge.

We all need to remember our commitment to our profession, the Rules of Practice, our Professional Obligations, and the Pledge in the Engineers’ Creed. Taking the required Ethics course each year for our continuing education is a great place to start.