NSPE Code of Ethics Case Study (COMMENTS BY ONE ENGINEER CONCERNING ANOTHER)

FACTS:

Engineer A practicing in State X requires the services of a structural engineer in State Y. Engineer A contacts Engineer B, who is the secretary of the State Y Society of Professional Engineers, to request the name of an appropriate engineer in State Y to perform the required structural engineering work. Engineer B suggests Engineer C , who Engineer A then decides to retain. Not satisfied with the services provided by Engineer C, including Engineer C’s lack of regular communication with Engineer A, Engineer A later contacts Engineer B and tells Engineer B of his general dissatisfaction with Engineer C, but does not first communicate this displeasure to Engineer C. Engineer A also remarks to Engineer B that he is interested in retaining the services of another structural engineer for the project. Soon thereafter, Engineer C contacts Engineer A and expresses his strong displeasure toward Engineer A for the comments he made to Engineer B.

QUESTIONS:

Question 1: Did Engineer A act ethically under the circumstances?

Question 2: Did Engineer B act ethically under the circumstances?

Question 3: Did Engineer C act ethically under the circumstances?