September 20, 2021 2 min read 11 Comments
September 21, 2021
There is no question that this is a violation of the Code of Ethics. Agreed with others that the Engineer, if a PE, should face disciplinary action.
September 21, 2021
This engineer got by on a technicality. His behavior was completely unethical and both employers should have fired him immediately upon discovery. If he is a registered PE, the state boar(s) should strip him of his license to practice permanently.
September 21, 2021
At least there is one private employer out there who is responsible. I am not surprised that the state agency is waffling. Same old hiding behind technicalities, and diluting blame until it all washes. Shameful, as usual. Fire this person immediately, and stop the “work at home” sham!
September 20, 2021
Total, unethical behavior.
If a registered Professional Engineer, he should be stripped of his license.
Also, he should be fired by BOTH employers.
This isn’t the first time he failed to disclose, or lied, on the job.
No room for an individual like this in our profession. A true loser.
September 20, 2021
I feel he did not break any rules, ethical or legal, as long as he actually worked the hours he said he did, for each employer.
September 20, 2021
Although not specifically stated I assume the individual was receiving compensation from both employers. In my opinion the individual’s failure to inform both employers about his activities makes him guilty of fraud and he/she should be brought before a court of law. Further, if I were in a position of authority in the DPW I would see to it that the individual’s employment is terminated, an entry made into the individual’s permanent record, and if the individual is a Registered Professional Engineer (PE) his/her actions reported to the local PE board.
September 20, 2021
A rule of thumb is, if you even ask, it is not ok.
I see this as deception. The Engineer should have disclosed to both employers what he/she was doing, or going to do. Then, at least, each of the employers would have had the opportunity to interject their respective policies (or the policies they thought were in place maybe).
It is also very questionable whether any Engineer can effectively work two full time jobs. There almost has to be overlap or time restraints that would cause one job to impact the other. Without disclosing to each employer or potential employer his/her plans to work both jobs, he/she put both employers at risk.
September 20, 2021
The individual is guilty of selling the same time to two different employers, without disclosing such to each employer. If the individual believes this behavior is acceptable, maybe politics would be more aligned with their beliefs.
September 20, 2021
Yes, even though he was not in violation of the normal and approved terms of the agency he is in violation of the engineering code of ethics. He didn’t disclose the second job to his primary employer and the working hours were in direct conflict with his primary job.
September 20, 2021
This is CLEAR violation of the Code of Ethics. The Engineer, if a PE, should face disciplinary action. Just because you can get away with it does not make it right.
RJ Shipley
May 21, 2022
Agree with previous comments except one that suggested it was OK if he worked the hours. Problem is that he clearly was not available to both employers during normal business hours, even if he was capable and doing competent engineering work, protecting public safety, 16 hours per day.
Questions – was he a P.E.? If so, this calls into question any plans he might have prepared/stamped. Both employers may need to go back and review all of the work which he claimed he did. Problems if things are being built based on his “work.”
Also, surprises me that neither recognized a problem with productivity.