This is the June 2024 edition of our monthly series of Ethics case studies titled What Do You Think? This series is comprised of case [...]

Jack is requested to make a $5,000 political contribution, the maximum amount allowed by law, to help pay the cost of the media campaign of the county board chairman.

Andy agreed to accept items of substantial value (e.g., travel expenses, multi-day program, resort location, etc.) our conclusion would have been quite different.

Daniel should have insisted that the client hire the on-site project representative or refuse to continue to work on the project. While this might appear to be a harsh result.

Engineer Carlson, a principal in a firm which was also on the "short list," contacted Engineer Baker and indicated the same requirement for a joint venture for specialized services

Board concludes that Sam did the appropriate thing in coming forward to his client with the information and also by documenting the information for possible future reference as appropriate.

Engineer Raymond received an unsolicited letter and explanatory material from a commercial firm engaged in manpower placement, offering a monetary bonus to Raymond if he provided names of qualified engineers (and other technical disciplines listed in the brochure).

Engineer Mitch agrees to provide consulting services to RMF, Inc., in connection with the development of a new product for manufacture. He develops a preliminary report, which is approved, then develops the design for the product. Mitch and RMF, Inc., do not negotiate any terms in their agreement relating to the actual ownership of the design of the product.

Engineer Bob is director of engineering with a large governmental agency that uses many engineering consultants. Engineer Alan is a principal in a large engineering firm that performs services for that agency.

Engineer Larry is a professional engineer employed by the Army Corps of Engineers. Because of a substantial decrease in the work load, Larry was informed that his position with the Corps’ River Basin Planning Section was being abolished and that he would be reassigned.