Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 2
ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
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ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
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Subject: Engineering
Class: SHS 2
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 10
Grade code: 2.1.3.LI.6
Strand code: 1
Sub-strand code: 3
Content standard code: 2.1.3.CS.1
Indicator code: 2.1.3.LI.6
Theme: ENGINEERING PRACTICE
Subtheme: ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
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This lesson explores the critical topic of unprofessional behaviour in engineering and its far-reaching consequences. As future engineers and technicians in Ghana, understanding your professional and ethical responsibilities is just as important as your technical skills. From the roads we travel on and the buildings we live in, to the water we drink and the electricity we use, the work of engineers affects every single person. When an engineer acts unprofessionally, the results can be devastating not just for themselves, but for their company and the entire nation.
A. What is Professionalism in Engineering? Before we discuss unprofessional behaviour, let's understand what it means to be a professional. Professionalism is a set of standards, behaviours, and qualities that characterise a person in their occupation. For an engineer, this includes: Competence: Having the required knowledge, skills, and diligence to perform the job well. Integrity & Honesty: Being truthful in all professional matters and avoiding deceptive acts. Responsibility & Accountability: Taking ownership of your work and its outcomes. The safety and well-being of the public is paramount. Respect: Treating clients, colleagues, and the public with respect. Adherence to Codes of Ethics: Following the rules set by professional bodies like the Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE). B. What is Unprofessional Behaviour? Unprofessional behaviour is any action or inaction by an engineer that violates these established standards of conduct. It is behaviour that falls below the level of skill and care expected of a competent engineer, potentially endangering the public, damaging property, or harming the reputation of the profession.
Common Examples of Unprofessional Behaviour: Cutting Corners / Using Substandard Materials: Deliberately using cheaper, weaker, or fewer materials than specified in the design to save money. For example, using 10mm iron rods when 16mm is required for a building's columns. Negligence: Failing to perform necessary duties, such as not conducting a required soil test before designing a foundation, or failing to properly inspect construction work. Conflict of Interest: Making a professional decision that is biased by personal gain. For instance, an engineer awarding a contract to their cousin's company, even if it is not the best or cheapest option. Dishonesty: Lying about qualifications, falsifying data from tests (e.g., concrete strength tests), or overbilling a client for work not done. Breach of Confidentiality: Sharing a client's secret designs or business information with a competitor. C. The Consequences of Unprofessional Behaviour: A Three-Dimensional Analysis Unprofessional behaviour creates a ripple effect, with consequences spreading from the individual to the entire nation.
Dimension 1: Consequences for the Individual Engineer When an engineer acts unprofessionally, they personally face severe repercussions: Loss of Professional License: The Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE) can revoke their license, meaning they can no longer legally practise as an engineer in Ghana. Legal Action: They can be sued by victims for damages or face criminal charges (prosecuted by the state), leading to heavy fines or even imprisonment. Damaged Reputation: Their name becomes associated with failure and dishonesty, making it nearly impossible to find future employment in the engineering field. Loss of Job and Income: They will almost certainly be fired from their job, leading to financial hardship. Psychological Burden: The guilt, shame, and stress from causing harm or loss can lead to severe mental health issues.
Dimension 2: Consequences for the Organisation / Company The company that employs the unprofessional engineer also suffers greatly: Financial Losses: The company will face lawsuits, government fines, and the massive cost of re-doing the faulty work (e.g., demolishing and rebuilding a defective structure). Damage to Brand and Reputation: The company will be labelled as incompetent and untrustworthy. It takes years to build a good reputation but only one disaster to destroy it. Loss of Clients and Contracts: Existing clients will leave, and potential clients will avoid them. Government agencies may blacklist the company from future public projects. Difficulty in Hiring: Talented and ethical engineers will not want to work for a company with a poor reputation. Bankruptcy and Closure: In severe cases, the financial and reputational damage can be so great that the company is forced to shut down completely.