As a consultant, I am given the choice to either maintain the confidentiality of one of my clients or guide my long time friend and client, Gemma, to avoid bankruptcy. Gemma is putting at stake nearly her entire self-constructed company to sign a lease for 25,000 acres of land that is rumored to be promising in regards to oil production. However, I have discovered through another client, Large Independent Oil Company, that the land is mostly producing water not oil. Currently, Gemma is requesting consultation throughout this business endeavor. It is my obligation as a consultant and an engineer to handle this situation in an honest and morally responsible manner. Thus after contemplating my choices, I decided to advice Gemma using only my opinion
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At the moment, Small Oil Company is worth $15 million, and the failure of this project could mean owing $12.5 million and immediate bankruptcy. It is not worth risking all of that for one business deal in a moment of recklessness, especially when the future might hold more promising and rewarding deals. Trusting a rumor and gambling the whole company for a small project whose net profit is marginal compared to the company’s overall worth is simply foolish. As stated in the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) Code of Ethics for Engineers (2007), “an engineer must give their clients an honest opinion on the success or failure that might arise in a particular project” (para. 6). Therefore, I should clearly express that it is illogical to risk a whole company built over 12 years for one project rumored to produce a lot of oil. This way I could guide Gemma, while also sticking to my ethical beliefs and professional …show more content…
First, she will analyze all the points I stated, including the risks on her company and family. Then, she might reject my advice, solely because she believed the rumors and was anticipating the success of this project. One of the strongest pillars of support for our business and personal relationship is trust. Thus, after few days of thought, she will trust my words and follow my advice because she knows I am seriously concerned about her. The last step is curiosity. Since I did not disclose any confidential information about the exploratory well and Large Independent Oil Company, Gemma might probe for more information. As stated in the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) Code of Ethics for Engineers (2007), “engineers shall not disclose, without consent, confidential information concerning the business affairs or technical processes of any present or former client or employer, or public body on which they serve” (para. 4). Therefore, I should clearly express that as an engineer and a consultant I cannot release any confidential information to her even though I trust her as a close friend. This will also allow me to draw a line between our personal and business
At the moment, Small Oil Company is worth $15 million, and the failure of this project could mean owing $12.5 million and immediate bankruptcy. It is not worth risking all of that for one business deal in a moment of recklessness, especially when the future might hold more promising and rewarding deals. Trusting a rumor and gambling the whole company for a small project whose net profit is marginal compared to the company’s overall worth is simply foolish. As stated in the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) Code of Ethics for Engineers (2007), “an engineer must give their clients an honest opinion on the success or failure that might arise in a particular project” (para. 6). Therefore, I should clearly express that it is illogical to risk a whole company built over 12 years for one project rumored to produce a lot of oil. This way I could guide Gemma, while also sticking to my ethical beliefs and professional …show more content…
First, she will analyze all the points I stated, including the risks on her company and family. Then, she might reject my advice, solely because she believed the rumors and was anticipating the success of this project. One of the strongest pillars of support for our business and personal relationship is trust. Thus, after few days of thought, she will trust my words and follow my advice because she knows I am seriously concerned about her. The last step is curiosity. Since I did not disclose any confidential information about the exploratory well and Large Independent Oil Company, Gemma might probe for more information. As stated in the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) Code of Ethics for Engineers (2007), “engineers shall not disclose, without consent, confidential information concerning the business affairs or technical processes of any present or former client or employer, or public body on which they serve” (para. 4). Therefore, I should clearly express that as an engineer and a consultant I cannot release any confidential information to her even though I trust her as a close friend. This will also allow me to draw a line between our personal and business