HVE CLASS

2ND AND 5TH MARCH

Dr. Manasvini Rai

The LNMIIT, Jaipur
Department of Humanities and Social Sciences
 Topics covered in this PPT

1. Profession – Definition, Nature and Attributes

2. Professionalism and Professional Responsibilities

3. Code of Ethics

4. Professional Societies – Business and Social Contract Models

5. Professional Societies’ Codes of Ethics (IEEE, ACM, ASME)

6. BART Case
 Topics covered in this PPT

7. Bhopal Gas Tragedy

8. Objections to Codes

9. What a ‘Code of Ethics’ is not –

10. Conflict of Interest

11. Whistleblowing
 Profession – Some Definitions
• A paid occupation, especially one that involves prolonged training and a formal qualification.
• Any type of work that needs special training or a particular skill, often one that is respected because it
involves a high level of education.
• A profession is a type of job that requires advanced education or training.
• You can use the word profession to refer to all the people who have the same profession. (The attitude of the
medical profession is very much more liberal now.)
What is a Professional?
Traditionally, a ‘Professional‘ is someone who derives their income from their specific knowledge or
experience – as opposed to a worker, hobbyist or amateur without formal education. This meaning still carries
through today to areas such as sport. However, in the Professions, a “Professional” has a broader meaning,
typically around some moral or ethical foundation within the practice of a specific and usually established
expertise.
 Profession – Some Definitions
A Professional is a member of a Profession.
Professionals are governed by codes of ethics and profess commitment to competence, integrity and
morality, altruism, and the promotion of the public good within their expert domain.
Professionals are accountable to those they serve and to society.
1: Evetts, J., ‘Sociological Analysis of Professionalism: Past, Present and Future’, Comparative
Sociology 10, 2011
2: Freidson, E., ‘Professionalism: The Third Logic’, Polity Press, London, 2001
What is Professionalism?
‘Professionalism’ is defined as the personally held beliefs of a Professional about their own conduct as
a member of a Profession. It is often linked to the upholding of the principles, laws, ethics and
conventions of a Profession in the form of a code of practice.
 Nature and Attributes of a Profession
• Work that requires sophisticated skills, the use of judgment, and the exercise of discretion
• Work is not routine and is not mechanized
• Requires extensive formal education
• Members of Special societies or organizations that are controlled by members of the profession
• Significant Public good results from the practice of the profession
• Examples of professions/[als] include doctors/medicine, law/lawyers, engineers, architects, actors,
accountants, carpenters/carpentry.
• Profession is an economic activity that requires special knowledge and skill to be applied by individuals for
earning their living.
• These professionals have to follow the guidelines or code of conduct laid down by professional bodies.
• For example, doctors are professionals engaged in the medical profession and have to follow the code of
conduct laid down by the Medical Council of India.
 Occupation Profession

Usually focuses on specific tasks or activities Involves specialized knowledge and skills

Can be a broad category encompassing various roles Often requires formal education or training

May not have strict ethical guidelines or codes of conduct Typically governed by professional bodies or associations

Can be easily changed or transitioned into a different occupation Generally requires a higher level of commitment and dedication

Primarily driven by financial considerations Emphasizes the pursuit of expertise and excellence
 May not have strict licensing or certification requirements Often requires obtaining professional licenses or certifications

Can have varying levels of career progression and advancement opportunities Offers a well-defined career path and opportunities for growth

May not require ongoing professional development or continuing education Requires continuous learning and staying updated in the field

Examples: waiter, retail salesperson, plumber Examples: doctor, lawyer, engineer

Occupations can evolve or become obsolete due to technological advancements or market changes Professions tend to remain stable and endure over time
 some Quotes to note
‘as long as professionals and professions hold on to this essence of professionalism – even, and
especially, in an age of globalization – they will survive and flourish, and professionalism will fulfil its
role in serving humanity.’

“When you allow an anaesthetist to put you under for an operation, you place great faith in their
competence. When you consult a lawyer to defend you against a baseless accusation, you hope they
understand both the legal system and your situation. When you engage an architect, you expect them to
design a building that will not only be a pleasure to occupy, but also fire-proof, structurally sound and
stable over the long-term. In each case you’re relying on another person’s qualifications, expertise and
experience. More than that, you’re relying on something that’s more important and also harder to pin
down: their professionalism”
 Engineering Societies

IEEE: The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

ASME: American Society of Mechanical Engineers

ACM: Association of Computing Machinery

ASCE: American Society of Civil Engineers

AIChE: American Institute of Chemical Engineers

NSPE: National Society of Professional Engineers

 Engineering Societies
IEEE: The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers  The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers is an
American 501 professional association for electronics engineering, electrical engineering, and other related disciplines.
ASME: American Society of Mechanical Engineers  The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) is an
American professional association that, in its own words, "promotes the art, science, and practice of multidisciplinary
engineering and allied sciences around the globe"
ACM: Association of Computing Machinery  The Association for Computing Machinery is a US-based international
learned society for computing. It was founded in 1947 and is the world's largest scientific and educational computing
society.
ASCE: American Society of Civil Engineers  The American Society of Civil Engineers is a tax-exempt professional
body founded in 1852 to represent members of the civil engineering profession worldwide.
AIChE: American Institute of Chemical Engineers  The American Institute of Chemical Engineers is a professional
organization for chemical engineers. AIChE was established in 1908 to distinguish chemical engineers as professionals
independent of chemists and mechanical engineers.
NSPE: National Society of Professional Engineers  The National Society of Professional Engineers is a professional
association representing licensed professional engineers in the United States.
 Code of IEEE
We, the members of the IEEE, in recognition of the importance of our technologies in affecting
the quality of life throughout the world, and in accepting a personal obligation to our profession,
its members, and the communities we serve, do hereby, commit ourselves to the highest ethical
and professional conduct and agree:
1. to accept responsibility in making decisions consistent with the safety, health, and welfare of
the public, and to disclose promptly factors that might endanger the public or the environment;
(Duty towards life)
2. to avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest whenever possible, and to disclose them to
affected parties when they do exist; (Duty towards social order)
3. to be honest and realistic in stating claims or estimates based on available data; (Duty
towards truth)
4. to reject bribery in all its forms; (Duty towards character)
5. to improve the understanding of technology; its appropriate application, and potential
consequences; (Duty towards progress)
 Code of IEEE
◦ 6. to maintain and improve our technical competence and to undertake technological tasks
for others only if qualified by training or experience, or after full disclosure of pertinent
limitations; (Duty towards Progress)
◦ 7. to seek, accept, and offer honest criticism of technical work, to acknowledge and correct
errors, and to credit properly the contributions of others; (Duty towards Truth)
◦ 8. to treat fairly all persons and to not engage in acts of discrimination based on race,
religion, gender, disability, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or
gender expression;
◦ 9.to avoid injuring others, their property, reputation, or employment by false or malicious
action; (Duty towards Property)
◦ 10. to assist colleagues and co-workers in their professional development and to support
them in following this code of ethics. (Duty towards character)
 Code of ACM
Software engineers shall commit themselves to making the analysis, specification, design, development,
testing and maintenance of software a beneficial and respected profession. In accordance with their
commitment to the health, safety and welfare of the public, software engineers shall adhere to the
following Eight Principles:
◦ 1.Public: Software engineers shall act consistently with the public interest.
◦ 2.Client and Employer: Software engineers shall act in a manner that is in the best interests of their
client and employer, consistent with the public interest.
◦ 3.Product: Software engineers shall ensure that their products and related modifications meet the
highest professional standards possible.
◦ 4.Judgement: Software engineers shall maintain integrity and independence in their professional
judgment.
◦ 5.Management: Software engineering managers and leaders shall subscribe to and promote an ethical
approach to the management of software development and maintenance.
◦ 6.Profession: Software engineers shall advance the integrity and reputation of the profession consistent
with the public interest.
 Code of ASME

 The Fundamental Principles

◦ Engineers uphold and advance the integrity, honor and dignity of the engineering profession by:
◦ 1. Using their knowledge and skill for the enhancement of human welfare;
◦ 2. Being honest and impartial, and serving with fidelity the public, their employers and clients; and
◦ 3. Striving to increase the competence and prestige of the engineering profession.
 Code of ASME
 The Fundamental Canons
1.Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public in the performance of their
professional duties.
2.Engineers shall perform services only in the areas of their competence.
3.Engineers shall continue their professional development throughout their careersand shall provide
opportunities for the professional and ethical development of those engineers under their supervision.
4.Engineers shall act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees, and shall
avoid conflicts of interest or the appearance of conflicts of interest.
5.Engineers shall build their professional reputation on the merit of their services and shall not compete
unfairly with others.
6.Engineers shall associate only with reputable persons or organizations.
7.Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.
8.Engineers shall consider environmental impact in the performance of their professional duties.
9. Engineers shall not seek ethical sanction against another engineer unless there is good reason to do so under
the relevant
codes, policies and procedures governing that engineer’s ethical conduct.
10. Engineers who are members of the Society shall endeavor to abide by the Constitution, By Laws, and
Policies of the
Society, and they shall disclose knowledge of any matter involving another member’s alleged violation of this
 Objections to Codes
• Few practicing engineers are members of professional societies.
• Many are not aware of the existence of the society’s codes.
• Consultation of the code is rare.
• Codes can be coercive
What a Code of Ethics is not…
• A recipe for ethical behavior
• A substitute for sound judgment
• A legal document
• Doesn’t create new moral or ethical principles
• A code helps the engineer to apply moral principles to the unique situations encountered
in professional practice.
 What is a Professional Society?
• There are several types of professional societies. Some professional associations create rules and standards for
their particular field. These types of professional societies issue credentials and are even involved in accrediting
degree programs.
• Other professional societies focus on researching topics related to the field. They publish reports and journals.
They also evaluate best practices in the industry or profession.
• Another type of professional association creates standards and rules for the industry. These groups only permit
members who follow the rules they set for their industry.
• Lastly, some professional societies solely focus on the members. They organize networking events, create
opportunities for professional development, and even help members find jobs.
• A professional society definition can also consist of a mix of the above qualities. A group can work on research
and standards for the industry while creating networking opportunities for members all at the same time.
• The professional association meaning also includes advocacy. These groups may lobby for changes in the
government on behalf of their members. [*Advocacy is defined as any action that speaks in favor of,
recommends, argues for a cause, supports or defends, or pleads on behalf of others.]
 Models of Professions/Professional Societies
• Social Contract Model – It views professional societies as being set up primarily to further the
public good.
• Business Model – According to this view, Professional societies function as a means for furthering
the economic advantage of the members.

Resolving Internal Conflict

• An employer asks or even orders an engineer to implement a design that the engineer feels will
be unsafe. It is made clear that the engineer’s job is at stake if he doesn’t do as instructed.
• If you were the engineer in this case, what would you do?
 Codes of Engineering Societies
• Early codes: Forbid advertising of services or prohibit competitive bidding by engineers for
design projects.
• Spell out duties that engineers have towards the employers.
• Now a days: Most codes emphasize commitments to safety, public health, and even
environment protection as the most important duties of the engineering employees.

Can Codes and Professional Societies Protect Employees

• Code of the professional societies may be used by the employee as ammunition against an
employer who asks him to engage in unethical act.
• E.g.-Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) organization and action of IEEE
 Conflict of Interest
A conflict of interest arises in the workplace when an employee has competing

interests or loyalties that either are, or potentially can be, at odds with each other.
OR
A conflict of interest arises when an interest, if pursued, could keep a professional

from meeting one of his obligations.

Actual conflict of interest

Potential conflict of interest

 BART Case
• In the early 1970s, work was nearing completion on the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system in
the San Francisco Bay metropolitan area.
• The design for BART was very innovative, utilizing a highly automated train system with no direct
human control of the trains.
• In the spring of 1972 three engineers working for BART were fired for insubordination.
• During the course of their work on the project, the three had become concerned about the safety of
the automated control system and were not satisfied with the test procedures being used by
Westinghouse, the contractor for the BART train controls.
• Unable to get a satisfactory response from their immediate supervisors, the engineers resorted to an
anonymous memo to upper management detailing their concerns and even met with a BART board
member to discuss the situation.
• The information on the problems at BART was leaked to the press by the board member, leading to
the firing of the engineers.
 BART Case
• They subsequently sued BART and were aided in their suit by the Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers (IEEE) which contended that they were performing their ethical duties as
engineers in trying to protect the safety of the public that would use BART.
• Eventually, the engineers were forced to settle the case out of court for only a fraction of the damages
that they were seeking.
• There are many rights and responsibilities that engineers must exercise in the course of their
professional careers.
• Often, these rights and responsibilities overlap.
• For example, the BART engineers had a responsibility to the public to see that the BART system was
safe and the right to have their concerns taken seriously by management without risking their jobs.
• Unfortunately, in this case, their rights and responsibilities were not respected by BART.
 CODES OF ETHICS
A framework for ethical judgment for a professional
A commitment to ethical conduct
Reiterate principles and standards that are already accepted as
responsible engineering practice.
A code expresses these principles in a coherent,
comprehensive, and accessible manner.
Defines the roles and responsibilities of professionals
Creates an environment for ethical behaviour
Creates a collective sense of correct behaviour
Indicates that the profession is seriously concerned about
responsible professional behaviour
Should not be used as ‘Window dressing’ [* attractive display]
 Examples of Conflicts of Interest
Hiring an unqualified relative to provide services your company needs
Starting a company that provides services similar to your full-time
employer
Failing to disclose that you’re related to a job candidate the company is
considering hiring
Posting to social media about your company’s weaknesses
Working part-time at a company that sells a competing product or service as
your full-time employer
Accepting payment from another company for information about your
employer
Failing to investigate a subordinate or co-worker's wrongdoing because
they are a friend
Sharing confidential information about your employer with a competitor
 Examples of Conflicts of Interest
Making a purchase or business choice to boost a business that you have a stake in
Accepting a favour or a gift from a client above the amount specified as acceptable by
the company
Owning part of a business that sells goods or services to your employer
Reporting to a supervisor who is also a close friend or family member
Doing business or work for a competitor
Accepting consulting fees and providing advice to another company for personal gain
Sharing information in an interview about your employer’s activities or plans
Cashing in on a business opportunity that your company might have pursued
Source: https://everfi.com/blog/workplace-training/conflicts-of-interest-at-work/
 WHISTLEBLOWING
• A whistleblower is an individual who, without authorization, reveals private or classified
information about an organization, usually related to wrongdoing or misconduct to someone who
is in a position to rectify the wrong doing
• Whistleblowers generally state that such actions are motivated by a commitment to the public
interest.
• The whistleblowing of Edward Snowden and Karen Silkwood are prime examples. Although the
term was first used to refer to public servants who made known governmental mismanagement,
waste, or corruption, it now covers the activity of any employee or officer of a public or private
organization who alerts a wider group, often via the Internet to setbacks to their:
• Health, and interests as a result of
• waste, abuse, dangers to public health and safety,
• corruption,
• fraud, or
• profit-seeking.
 WHISTLEBLOWING
• The typical background to whistleblowing is an understanding promulgated by organizations that
those whom they employ are beneficiaries of an association to which they owe some measure of
loyalty.
• Included in that measure is an expectation that employees will not jeopardize the interests of the
organization by revealing certain kinds of information to people outside the organization.
• Furthermore, if members are unhappy about something the organization does, they will make it
known only to the appropriate people within the organization.
• Setbacks to interest usually involve significant wrongdoing by officers of the organization, often
amounting to the violation of human or other important rights, particularly of those served by the
organization.
• To a whistleblower however, being an agency or company “insider” is not essential to serving as a
whistleblower. What matters is that the individual discloses information about wrongdoing that
otherwise would not be known.
 A Few Benefits of Whistle-Blowing

1. Helps combat fraud

2. Avoids reputational damage

3. Prevents issues escalating

4. Reduces losses

5. Raises awareness

6. Creates an open culture

 A Few Consequences of Whistle-Blowing

1. Harmful gossip and harassment from co-workers.

2. Negative job performance evaluation.

3. Withheld wages.

4. Loss of benefits or privileges.

5. Work that's carefully watched by supervisors.

6. Demotion, or denial of promotion.

7. Termination or forced retirement.

- End -