Ethics
Please read Code of Ethics by
June 6.
SLO # 6 professional and ethical
responsibility
What does Ethics have to do with
Engineering Communications?
• Engineers are held to higher
standard.
• Documentation, notes, e-mail,
water cooler chit-chat = evidence.
National Society of Professional
Engineers – Code of Ethics
Preamble
Engineering is an important and learned profession. As
members of this profession, engineers are expected to
exhibit the highest standards of honesty and integrity.
Professions: engineering, law, medicine
Engineers: held to standards at bachelor degree
Preamble
Engineering has a direct and vital impact on the
quality of life for all people.
Lawyers and medical doctors – a few thousand
clients or patients
Engineers – millions of lives
Preamble
Accordingly, the services provided by engineers
require honesty, impartiality, fairness, and equity, and
must be dedicated to the protection of the public
health, safety, and welfare. Engineers must perform
under a standard of professional behavior that
requires adherence to the highest principles of ethical
conduct.
Fundamental Canons
Engineers, in the fulfillment of their professional duties, shall:
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 faithful agents or trustees.
5. Avoid deceptive acts.
6. Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and
lawfully so as to enhance the honor, reputation, and
usefulness of the profession.
Fictional Case Example
Employer asks you to lie.
5. Avoid deceptive acts. [do not lie]
4. Act for each employer or client as faithful
agents or trustees. [your employer asked you
to lie, so lie]
1. Hold paramount the safety, health, and
welfare of the public. [content of that lie will
hurt public; do not lie]
Violations
• Professional Society Ethics Board
– Conducts hearing with jury of peers (fellow engineers),
evidence, and witnesses
• If found in violation,
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Public apology
Fines (can go to criminal and civil courts)
Blackballed
Removal of credentials
• Licensure
• College degree
Ethics
• Canons are in hierarchical order: highest
canon wins
• Adhere to Code where trained
• Ethics versus legal considerations: ethics
wins
• National Society of Professional Engineers
– ACM for Computer Science
• Order of the Engineer
Ethics
Please read Code of Ethics by
June 6.
Etiquette
SLO # 4 broad education to
understand impact
SLO # 5 multi-disciplinary teams
SLO # 6 professional and ethical
responsibility
SLO # 7 communicate effectively
Why Etiquette in Engineering
Communications?
• Shows respect.
• Make colleagues comfortable.
• Creates safe environment.
• Develops trust (e.g., for external
interaction customers, vendors,
etc.).
Dining Etiquette
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Table manners
Food & Drink Choices
Seasoning
Posture
Cutlery
Sitting at table
Conversations
Hand shaking
Paying
Employment Etiquette
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Be friendly not BFFs with co-workers
Swearing in the work place
Political Correctness
Reprimands
– Never via e-mail
– Action not person
• Chain of command
• Cell phones and ear buds
E-mail Etiquette
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Do not “Hey” any professional…ever
Salutations and closings are not necessary
Only use a signature for initial contact
Grammar counts…always…for the rest of your life
Have a descriptive subject line
No emoticons in business… 
Be concise
Do not weaken self (apologize, bother, just)
Do state due dates
Employment Etiquette
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Be five minutes early
Be prepared and well researched
Be supportive
Avoid cynicism and sarcasm
Do not complain
Ask for more work (show initiative)
No smelly foods, cologne, perfume, etc.
Etiquette with People
• Show appreciation
– Do not undervalue the “thank you” note
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Understand the concept of “different not wrong”
Avoid insults (obviously, basically, crazy, etc.)
Take responsibility
Keep your word (even on the small stuff)
Learn to apologize sincerely (not – I am sorry that
you feel that way)
• Avoid being passive-aggressive
Etiquette in Different Cultures
• http://www.executiveplanet.com/
• In the U.S.
–http://www.ravenwerks.com/practices
/etiquette.htm