1. Knowledge of Damaging Information

The State Pollution Control Authority advises the Bright Corporation that it has 60 days to apply for a permit to discharge manufacturing wastes into a body of water.

In order to convince the Authority that it will meet the environmental standards, the Bright Corporation employs Persaud, an engineer, to perform consulting engineering services and submit a detailed report. After completing the studies, Persaud concludes that the discharge from the plant will violate environmental standards and that the corrective action will be very costly to Bright. Persaud verbally notifies the company, which terminates its contract with Persaud with full payment for the services performed. It instructs Persaud not to render a written report to the corporation.

A short time later, Persaud learns that the Authority has called a public hearing, where the Bright Corporation will present data to support its claim that the present plant discharge meets minimum standards.

What, if anything, should Persaud do now? Is Persaud obliged to report the violation of environmental standards to the Authority? Does Persaud have any residual obligation to the Bright Corporation that would stand in the way of doing so?

2. Conflict of Interest - Specifying Equipment of Company Owned by Engineer

Engineer A is asked by a firm to prepare specifications for an air compression system. Engineer A made the firm aware that she is the President (and major shareholder) of a company that manufactures and sells air compression systems and that she has no problem with preparing a set of generic specifications. Engineer A also provides the firm with four other manufacturers that prepare air compression systems for bidding purposes, and Engineer A did not include her company as one of the four specified manufacturers.

The firm now wants to meet with Engineer A and a salesman from her company. Engineer A indicated to the firm that it might be a conflict-of-interest.

Would it be a conflict of interest for Engineer A to prepare a set of specifications for an air compression system and then have her company manufacture the air compression system under the facts?

3. Refusing to sign/seal construction documents

Engineer A, employed by Firm X, left Firm X and goes to work for Firm Y, a competitor. A project on which Engineer A was in responsible charge was virtually completed, but Engineer A did not sign or seal the construction documents before leaving Firm X's employment. Engineer B, a principal in Firm X requests Engineer A to sign and seal the drawing. Engineer A refuses to sign or seal the construction documents unless Firm X pays Engineer A an additional fee.

Was it ethical for Engineer A to refuse to sign or seal the plans?

Was it ethical for Engineer B to ask Engineer A to sign and seal the construction documents?

If additional work was required on the part of Engineer A, would it be ethical for Engineer A to request additional compensation?