Quiz 4

Question 1

What was the design flaw in LeMessurier’s building?

Answer 1

Changing from welds to bolts made the building weaker, so strong diagonal quartering winds could cause collapse

Question 2

Why was LeMessurier criticized for his decisions?

Answer 2

He kept the redesigning process secret for 17 years, so people in the area did not know about the danger. He also lied for Citicorp

Question 3

How does Martin and Schinzinger define profession? 3 points

Answer 3

1. advanced expertise
2. self-regulation
3. concerted service to public good

Question 4

How does Fledderman identify profession? 4 points

Answer 4

1. sophisticated skill
2. formal education
3. autonomy in setting standards and self-regulating
4. service to the public good

Question 5

How does Greenwood see the client-professional relationship in regards to authority?

Answer 5

The client is subordinate to professional authority

Question 6

Between a surgeon, a teacher, and a machinist, what makes only the first 2 jobs a profession?

Answer 6

A machinist does not need underlying theory to be skilled at work. The others require theory and skills

Question 7

Name 4 purposes of a code of ethics in professions?

Answer 7

1. maintain the profession’s reputation and standing
2. regulate behaviour among professionals
3. reflect aspirational desires
4. support ethical behaviour

Question 8

Name some of the 6 NSPE fundamental canons

Answer 8

1. Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public
2. perform services only in areas of their competence
3. issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner
4. act for each employer or client as a faithful agent or trustee
5. avoid deceptive acts
6. conduct themselves honourably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully as as to enhance the honour, reputation, and usefulness of the profession

Question 9

Name some of the 9 professional obligations in the NSPE code of ethics

Answer 9

1. standards of honesty and integrity
2. serving the public interest
3. deceiving the public
4. confidential information
5. conflicts of interest
6. criticizing other engineers
7. injuring the professional reputation of other engineers
8. engineers accepting responsibility for their professional activities
9. giving credit where credit is due

Question 10

What is a limitation to codes of ethics?

Answer 10

1. Professionals occasionally / rarely refer to the code of ethics
2. guidelines can be very vague or general (e.g. striving for sustainable dev)
3. guidelines can be contradictory
4. codes may come off as self-serving to the profession’s image

Question 11

What are 2 ways that codes of ethics should be used?

Answer 11

1. use as refreshers during periodic training
2. use to address ethical dilemmas

Question 12

What are the 4 virtues of interest in engineering practice?

Answer 12

1. honesty (to stakeholders)
2. loyalty
3. collegiality (get along with coworkers/employers)
4. courage

Question 13

What is the difference between agency-loyalty and attitude loyalty?

Answer 13

agency: attitude conduct of employee to their employers. E.g. doing good work, finishing tasks, refraining from theft
attitude: personal identification in an organization. E.g. motives, attachment, and affirmation to the group which inspire pursuit of excellence

Question 14

Name the 4 rights and duties attached to professionals?

Answer 14

1. right of recognition
2. right of conscience
3. duty to limit expertise
4. teamwork duties

Question 15

Explain the 2 ways that right of recognition must be acknowledged

Answer 15

1. the right to fair compensation for advance expertise and high amounts of training
2. non-monetary recognition of skills by getting PEng designations. Right to work on projects and be consulted on their area of expertise

Question 16

What is conscientious refusal under the right of professional conscience?

Answer 16

Professional cannot be forced to make decisions, accept results, or take positions that are inconsistent with the facts

Question 17

Name four legal rights of employees in the workplace

Answer 17

1. right to fair employment conditions
2. privacy rights
3. right to equal employment opportunity
4. health and safety rights

Question 18

What is the difference between exempt and non-exempt employees?

Answer 18

Non-exempt are employees covered by Fair Labour Standards Act (FLSA) concerning minimum wages and overtime. Exempt are exceptions to the FLSA which include engineers.

Question 19

How does “at will” employment lead to discrimination in the workplace?

Answer 19

Employers can lay-off or fire employees substantive reasons. Thus, the employees chosen to be laid-off could be based on biases such as sex, race, etc.

Question 20

Name the duties of employees in the workplace

Answer 20

1. Confidentiality
2. conflicts of interest

Question 21

What is the purpose of a Noncompete clause (NCC)?

Answer 21

NCC is used to restrict ability of employees to transfer skills/expertise from one company to another for higher pay

Question 22

What are the 2 conditions that conflicts of interest could arise?

Answer 22

1. professional is in a role that requires exercising good judgement on behalf of employer/client
2. professional has additional interests that could threaten good judgement

Question 23

What is an example of a potential conflict of interest in the workplace?

Answer 23

An intimate relationship with a coworker could result in:
- sexual harassment at work
- feelings changing that create a difficult work environment

Question 24

What is an example of an actual conflict of interest in the workplace?

Answer 24

Accepting bribes to benefit another party

Also, Nepotism

Question 25

What is the “agent” in whistleblowing?

Answer 25

The current/former employee who discloses the information

Question 26

What are the ethical guidelines to determine if whistleblowing is required?

Answer 26

• info concerns potential or actual harm
• harm is properly documented
• agent must first report concerns to immediate supervisor
• then attempt to communicate with upper management using proper channels
• only after all these are done, the agent decides if reporting outside the organization will prevent / resolve harm