Canon #6

Engineers shall associate only with reputable persons or organizations.

Our interpretation of Canon 6 is as follows:

1. Engineers shall not knowingly associate with, or permit the use of their names or their firm’s names in business ventures by any person or firm they know, or have reason to believe, is engaging in business or professional practices of a fraudulent or dishonest nature.
2. Engineers shall not use association with non-engineers, corporations, or partnerships to disguise unethical acts.

This canon speaks directly to the fundamental principle of upholding and advancing the integrity and honor of the profession. It is clearly stated that it is a violation of the ASME Code of Ethics to knowingly associate with persons or firms engaged in fraudulent or dishonest work. In interpretation (a), the phrase “or have reason to believe” imposes a higher standard of behavior and is one that can be problematical in application. Consider the hypothetical situation in which your firm is one of several working on a major project. One of the other firms is “Jones Brothers Construction” which “everybody” knows is connected to the criminal underworld and uses extortion and violence to obtain contracts. Nothing has ever been proved, and, in fact, Jones Brothers have never been accused in a court of law. The Minimalist Model suggests that without proof, there is no reason not to work with Jones Brothers. The Good Works Model puts forth a higher standard and, depending upon the strength of your belief in the probable illegal behavior of Jones Brothers, you may want to reconsider your involvement with them.

Does Canon 6 preclude an engineer from forever associating with someone who has been convicted and sent to prison or who has been reprimanded for violating the Codes of Ethics? Can an engineer associate with someone who is accused but not indicted, or indicted but not convicted (under the U.S. judicial system, people are presumed innocent until proven guilty), or indicted but the case was settled out of court without the party admitting wrongdoing? What happens if that someone is a close relative of the family? Can an engineer seek employment in a firm that has been fined for having previously violated environmental regulations?