ppt 6 - Engineering is a Profession Flashcards
a number of individuals in the same occupation voluntarily organized to earn a living by openly serving a moral ideal in morally permissible way beyond what law, market, morality, and public opinion would otherwise require.
Profession
it requires high level of training at the college or university level.
Engineer
vitally important to the public
Engineering
engineers, like other professionals, have ____ that are supposed to regulate their conduct for the public good.
ethical codes
Characteristics of a Profession
-Extensive Training
-Knowledge and skills vital
-Monopoly
-Autonomy in Workplace
-Ethical Standards
Entry into the profession requires an extensive period of training of intellectual (competence) and moral (integrity) character.
Extensive Training
are necessary for the well-being of the society. Knowledge of physicians protects us from disease and restores health.
Knowledge and skills vital
The monopoly control is achieved in two ways: (a) the profession convinces the community that only those who have graduated from the professional school should be allowed to hold the professional title. The profession also gains control over professional schools by establishing accreditation standards (b) By persuading the community to have a licensing system for those who want to enter the profession. If practicing without license, they are liable to pay penalties.
Monopoly
The monopoly control is achieved in two ways:
(a) the profession convinces the community that only those who have graduated from the professional school should be allowed to hold the professional title.
b) By persuading the community to have a licensing system for those who want to enter the profession. If practicing without license, they are liable to pay penalties
Professionals engaged in private practice have considerable freedom in choosing their clients or patients. Even the professionals working in large organizations exercise a large degree of impartiality, creativity and discretion (care with decision and communication) in carrying their responsibilities. Besides this, professionals are empowered with certain rights to establish their autonomy
Autonomy in Workplace:
Professional societies promulgate the codes of conduct to regulate the professionals against their abuse or any unethical decisions and actions (impartiality, responsibility) affecting the individuals or groups
Ethical Standards
is defined as conveying information by an employee, on an important moral problem to somebody in a position to take action on the problem.
Whistle blowing
Four Aspects of Whistle Blowing
-Basis of disclosure
-Relevance of topic
-Agent
- Recipient
The basis for disclosure may be intentional, or under pressure from superiors or others not to disclose.
Basis of disclosure
The whistle blower believes that the information is about a significant problem for the organization or its business ally.
Relevance of topic:
The person disclosing the information may be a current or former employee or a person having a close link to the organization.
Agent
The person or organization, who receives the information, is in a position to remedy the problem or alert the affected parties. Usually, the recipients are not aware of the information fully or even partially
Recipient
2 Classifications of whistle Blowing based on the destination (recipient)
a. Internal
b. External
In this case, the information is conveyed to a person within the organization, but beyond the approved channels.
Internal
This happens when the information is transmitted outside the organization. The recipient may be a municipal chairman or member of legislature or minister. It becomes severe if the information reaches the press and through them the public. The damage is maximum and sometimes poses difficulty in remedying the situation
External
Classification of whistle Blowing based on the origin or source (agent), this can be divided into three types, as follows:
-Open
-Anonymous
-Partly anonymous (or partly open):
The originator reveals his identity as he conveys the information. This information is reliable and true, but sometimes partially true.
Open
The identity is concealed. The information may or may not be true. But the agent anticipates perhaps some repression or threat, if identity is revealed.
Anonymous
Such a situation exists when the individual reveals his identity to the journalist, but insists that the name be withheld from others.
Partly anonymous (or partly open):
Before you Whistle Blow
- One should familiarize with the rules for appealing within the organizations.
- Consult the trusted colleagues for advice and to avoid isolation.
- Use polite and tactical language.
- Keep the supervisors informed of your actions.
-Keep your observations and claims precise and accurate.
-Before going the organization, consult the ethics committee of your professional society
-If necessary consult a lawyer regarding potential litigations.
-Offering to resign is one of the effective methods of blowing your views. Whether you are relieved from specific project or from the organization, either way your autonomy and self-respect are recognized.
