Ethics Overview and Personal Ethics

Ethics Overview

• Ethics are moral values and principles that guide conduct for individuals, organizations, and professions.
• Behavior is how someone acts.
• Moral principles govern what is right and wrong conduct.

Personal Ethics

• Personal ethics are guidelines for personal life.
• Individuals use personal ethics to determine right and wrong in society, and make decisions through their behavior.
• Each person's code of ethics may vary but share common traits like honesty and respect.
• Personal ethics are shaped by background factors, education, cultural norms, religion, and societal influences.
• Violating personal ethics is not usually punishable by law. However, it can lead to immoral conduct which may be penalized under certain laws.

Professional Ethics

• Professional ethics is a shared understanding of conduct guidelines among people within a profession.
• Professional bodies like the Board of Engineers, Malaysia (BEM), the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC), Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia (PAM), and the Malaysian Board of Technologists (MBOT) have codes of ethics.
• These codes outline professional rules and regulations that members must follow.
• Professional ethics aim to ensure public safety, prevent client exploitation, and preserve professional integrity.
• Penalties for violating professional codes may include written warnings, fines, suspension, or cancellation of registration.
• Professional and personal ethics overlap, sharing values like honesty and respect. However, professional ethics tend to be more restrictive since violations may lead to organization action(s).
• An illustrative example shows the progression from courtesy/etiquette, to morals/ethics, to professional ethics/codes, and finally to acts/laws.
• Engineering ethics is a subset of professional ethics specific to engineers.
• Engineering ethics ensures that members of the profession follow proper conduct guidelines.
• Engineering ethics is guided by codes of ethics or codes of professional conduct.

Engineering Ethics Concepts

• Ethical considerations are intrinsic to engineering decision-making.
• Engineers' obligations extend beyond contractual agreements to include client or customer well-being.
• Codes of ethics can provide guidance during decision-making processes.

Why Engineers Need to Know About Ethics

• Engineers, with their knowledge and skills, have the capability to provide services to the public, and thereby assume a tremendous responsibility to society and clients.
• Engineering decisions should align with the best interests of society, public safety, and the environment.
• An engineer's ethical obligations are global, not limited to a specific country.
• The social and economic context of engineering practice may influence how engineers fulfill their ethical obligations.

Board of Engineers, Malaysia (BEM)

• BEM is a statutory body created under the Registration of Engineers Act 1967 and formalized in August 1972.
• Its primary role is to facilitate registration of engineers and specialists, regulate their professional conduct, and ensure the safety and welfare of the public.
• BEM's registration covers various roles including Gradient Engineers, Professional Engineers (with Practicing Certificate), Accredited checkers, Inspectors of Works, and Engineering Technologists.

Registration of Engineers Regulations 1990

• This document outlines the Code of Conduct for registered persons, including the regulation (no. 223) for conduct of registered persons (honesty, responsibility, ethics and lawfulness).
• There are separate regulations and guidelines to govern the responsibilities to employers/clients, discharging of duties with fidelity (being loyal or honest), avoiding malicious reputation injury, and avoiding canvassing/advertising promotions.
• There are also regulations to prevent interference or taking over other engineer's work and making payments or placing contracts.

PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct

• The Project Management Institute (PMI) provides standards, certifications, courses, and resources for project managers.
• The PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct applies broadly to members, non-members seeking a PMI certification, or anyone volunteering with PMI.
• Key characteristics of the code are responsibility, respect, fairness, and honesty.
• Responsibility emphasizes decisions in line with public safety, accepting assignments aligned with qualifications, accepting accountability, and fulfilling commitments (while safeguarding proprietary info), and reporting unethical and illegal behavior.
• Respect involves valuing cultural and personal differences and avoiding disrespectful behavior.
• Fairness involves objective decision-making, transparency, providing equal information to qualified candidates, and avoiding potential conflicts of interest.
• Honesty involves truthful communications, accuracy of information, negotiated agreements, and creating an environment where candor is encouraged.