Everyday, builders have to make ethical choices which have a lasting impact. It’s part and parcel of the demanding nature of the industry, which requires the highest standards of integrity in all aspects of making decisions.
The problem is knowing what to do in situations that can result in unethical conduct. Knowing where you should draw the line will aid in understanding the most effective approach to face the ethical issues in the field of construction.
A community of support with you to discuss important problems, issues and risk factors is essential. This is the reason AIC plays a vital role in the field by providing construction companies with an AIC Code of Ethics and a support system for them to comply with ethical business procedures. Find out more about the reasons the importance of community to ethical conduct.
The Value of a Community-Based Approach to Ethics
There is no need to be on your own when it comes to deciding how you handle ethical dilemmas. Being able to access a network of builders can assist you in making sound ethical choices.
Here are some real examples of unethical behavior as well as the results they have had, and the reasons why a community of trust could help the builder to avoid the negative consequences of their actions.
Bribes Go Two Ways
When he was mayor of New York, former mayor Bill de Blasio launched an affordable housing initiative that would have provided about 50,000 new apartments in New York City over the period over a period of time.
In the race to have their plans accepted, some contractors bribed city inspectors with cash and other gifts to expedite this process. Inspectors were also bribed with the payments. The problem is that inspectors can put a stop to a job for a long time or allow it to go on which means they have an enormous amount of power to promote the construction of buildings. This is an example of two parties being unprofessional, one feeding the other.
Summary: Of course, nobody should be bribing anyone. Contractors were responsible for bribing, and inspectors are responsible for accepting bribes to sign off on projects that might or might not have been fully prepared or safe.
The unprofessional swap of favours may have led to unsafe conditions, accidents and poor quality work, with negative consequences down the road. Working together to ensure fair and equitable inspections for everyone could have altered the result.
The issue begins by the contractor not being involved in an corruption scheme. The presence of a group of builders to discuss the issue with could have led to the better choice to be ethical. From a moral standpoint, ensuring the public’s interest by making sure that structures are safe to being used is much more vital than completing the deadline.
Time Sheet Inflation
In some businesses, changing the timesheets of laborers is a standard procedure for them to “tip” the top supervisors. This is a typical type of unethical practice in the construction industry, and is used by a few construction firms.
If the company is paying the cost the gratuity could be refunded. However, in one case, dating back to 2015 the additional cash was charged to customers without their consent. The contractor incurred over $7 million penalties. The practice of taking advantage of customers through a false representation of hours worked, created an issue that could not be immediately resolved.
The lesson: This case was an example of untruthful reporting. The awarding of a bonus to the top employees is an appropriate gesture, but receiving it from a customer and then presenting it as billable hours is unethical.
Construction managers should always obtain approval for timesheets, and then keep complete, accurate records. A second set of eyes looking over timesheets to make sure everything is in order can help prevent the possibility of a costly accident.
This type of incident sever the contractor-client relationship, it affects the perception that the industry has. The ability to rely on a group of construction professionals to inquire about the best way to deal with this kind of timesheet issue could have averted the blunders that tarnished the image of the business.
Miscommunication Leads to Tragedy
In a tragic way the lack of communication and failure to check modifications to the design can result in serious safety concerns. In 1981, a year after the construction for the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Kansas City Two walkways suspended from the ceiling fell over during a party, resulting in casualties.
The layout of the structures were altered during the process of construction which meant that the walkways did not conform to the city’s weight-bearing regulations. Nobody wanted to share the responsibility for this incident an unintentional incident of incompetence and a lack of oversight led to disastrous results.
The takeaway: In this case everybody involved in the modification should have questioned whether it was in line with the initial plans. After receiving the information from the fabricators and constructors and the construction manager, he could discuss the change with engineers. A thorough verification would have confirmed that additional support were added.
The existence of a group of builders with a common interest in each other’s best interests would have been beneficial in double-checking each other and holding each other accountable. Construction workers who are unsure how to tackle these kinds of difficult communication issues can discuss ideas with other constructors to determine what they can do to respond to the scenario.
The Importance of Community to Address an Ethical Dilemma in Construction
Participating in a community support system is among the most effective ways to adhere to moral standards. It is a strength to be in numbers and being a part of an organization of people who share the same values can help you achieve an elevated level of moral accountability when it comes to managing construction projects.
If you’re able to access a the same group of people who have the same values as you are accustomed to It’s much easier to identify ethical practices, educate novice builders how to deal with ethical issues when it comes to construction, and also ensure that the construction industry is viewed in a positive way.