Curtailment of ethical harassment of engineers

Abstract

Nearly all engineering and scientific codes of ethics proclaim that the overriding ethical obligation of a professional is to protect the public's safety, welfare and environment. The degree to which an engineer/scientist is capable of exercising this obligation will determine how close the individual really has attained standing in society as a true "professional". The author believes that this goal has not been achieved and that an insidious practice of "ethical harassment" has existed for a long time. Members of the IEEE may request assistance from its Member Conduct Committee or file misconduct complaints against other members when faced with this practice.