Case Repository

Questions:

1. Was it ethical for Engineer B to complain to Engineer A?
2. Were Engineer A’s actions in investigating City D’s contracting practices ethical?
3. Because City D’s Engineer refuses to change the contract arrangement with Firm Z, what steps must Engineer A take?

Conclusions:

1. It was not only ethical for Engineer B to complain to Engineer A, it was ethically required that Engineer B report his belief that statutory obligations were not being followed.
2. It was ethical for Engineer A to investigate City D’s contracting practices, both as a part of A’s own familiarization process and to follow up on Engineer B’s complaints.
3. Since the City D Engineer indicated they have no plans to change the contract arrangement with Firm Z, Engineer A is obligated to take appropriate action.

Questions:

1. Should Engineer M challenge the validity of Firm DBA’s report?
2. Should Engineer M raise any concerns with the City, as the client, and, if so, how?
3. Are Firm DBA’s actions ethical? Even though Firm DBA is not providing engineering services, are they required to abide by NSPE’s Code of Ethics?

Conclusions:

1. Engineer M should challenge the validity of Firm DBA’s report as Firm DBA did not abide by the Code in a number of instances.
2. Engineer M should first confer with Firm DBA to correct all discrepancies in the report. If no agreement can be made going forward, Engineer M should confer with the City to outline the ethical obligations. Engineer M should also consider any obligations they may have to report to the state licensure board.
3. The actions of Firm DBA are not ethical under the Code as the services provided were under the supervision and ownership of licensed professional engineers.

Questions:

1. Is it ethical for “Transportation Engineer” B to engage in the practice of engineering when “Transportation Engineer” B is not qualified for...
2. If “Transportation Engineer” B is practicing engineering, does Engineer A have an obligation to report “Transportation Engineer” B for the...

Conclusions:

1. It is unlawful and therefore not ethical for “Transportation Engineer” B to engage in the practice of engineering without having fulfilled the requirements for licensure: adequate education, rigorous examination, and substantial experience.
2. Since “Transportation Engineer” B is practicing engineering (as defined by the state in question), Engineer A has an obligation to report “Transportation Engineer” B for unlicensed practice.

Questions:

1. Was it ethical for Cutting Edge Engineering and Engineer Jaylani to accept the irrigation system design task?
2. Was it ethical for Engineer Intern Wasser to refuse to perform the task of design development for the proposed irrigation system?
3. If the traditional lawn irrigation system design is an ethical expression of engineering work, what can Engineer Jaylani’s firm do to complete the...

Conclusions:

1. It was ethical for Engineer Jaylani to accept the irrigation system design task.
2. As a matter of personal conviction, it was ethically permissible, but extreme, for Engineer Intern Wasser to refuse the task of design development for the proposed irrigation system. Performing the design task would not have been manifestly unethical, and refusal likely cost Wasser his job.
3. Under the facts, traditional lawn irrigation system design is an ethical expression of engineering work. In awareness of sustainability principles, Engineer Jaylani’s firm is in a position to better serve its clients and the public by introducing and offering “green” irrigation alternatives.

Questions:

Is Engineer C’s answering of the City Administrator’s questions and his criticism of Engineer B ethical?

Conclusions:

In answering the City Administrator’s specific questions and by criticizing the work of Engineer B, Engineer C’s action were unethical.

Questions:

1. Are the proposal techniques of Engineer B ethical with respect to the NSPE Code of Ethics?
2. Does Engineer A have an obligation to report a violation to the Engineering Licensing Board in State Q? In State Z?

Conclusions:

1. The proposal practices of Engineer B and XYZ Engineers were not unethical from the perspective of the NSPE Code of Ethics.
2. Engineer A does not have an obligation to report Engineer B’s proposal/marketing practices to the engineering licensing board in State Q.
3. Engineer B’s proposal/marketing practices would constitute professional misconduct per licensure law in State Z, and Engineer A has a clear obligation to report to the engineering licensing board in State Z.

Questions:

1. Was it ethical for Engineer A to not report Engineer B?
2. Were Engineer B’s actions ethical?
3. Were Engineer Intern C’s actions ethical?
4. ... and 2 more

Conclusions:

1. It was unethical for Engineer A to not report Engineer B, in spite of the fact that Engineer A and Engineer B were friends.
2. It was unethical for Engineer B to continue work in an impaired state in which he could not competently perform engineering design, could not guide and direct his subordinates, or properly review their designs or drawings.
3. Engineer Intern C’s complicity in helping Engineer B to continue work was unethical.
4. Engineer A was obligated to report Engineer B to the proper authority, in this case the State Board. As Engineer B’s friend and with Engineer B’s approval, once the matter was reported to the Board, it would have been permissible for Engineer A to help cooperatively identify a temporary practice management alternative that supported the professional and ethical practice of engineering work in Engineer B’s business, until Engineer B returned to full duty.
5. Given his direct knowledge of the situation, Engineer R, like Engineer A, was obligated to report Engineer B to the proper authority, in this case the State Board. If Engineer A did the reporting as noted above, Engineer A’s report could be styled to indicate Engineer R’s concurrence.