Free OACETT IEPPE Practice Exam with Questions & Answers | Set: 2

When dealing with aconflict of interest, professionalsmust act fairly and avoid any perception of bias. Thebest solutionis toremain in your role but remove yourself from decision-making where a conflict exists.

Step-by-Step Breakdown:

1. Managing Conflicts Without Resigning:

Professionals can continue their dutiesas long as theydo not influence decisions that benefit them personally.

Example: ACET on a public boardcanstay in their position but must recuse themselves from voting on a contract involving their firm.

2. Why Recusal is the Best Option:

Maintains professional integrity while fulfilling obligations to both the employer and the public.

Ensuresfair competition without forcing unnecessary resignation.

3. Why Option A Is Correct:

Avoidsunfair biaswhile allowing professionals tocontinue their duties ethically.

4. Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

B (Resigning immediately)– Not always required if conflictcan be managed properly.

C (Withdrawing the proposal)– Unnecessary iftransparent recusal is followed.

D (Advocating for one’s company)– Createsan unfair competitive advantageand violates ethics rules.

1. What is Alternative G2?

In this scenario, the professionalrejects the outside job offer but does not inform their employer about the situation.

2. Ethical Problem in Alternative G2

Failure to Communicate:

Even though they areavoiding a direct conflict of interest,they are still withholding important information from their employer.

Transparency is required in professional ethics.

Risk of Misunderstanding:

If the client assumesthey were unfairly turned down,they may form a negative opinion of the employer.

This could damage the employer-client relationship.

3. Real-World Example: Why Transparency Matters

Scenario:

A structural engineering technologistis offered consulting work on a project by a major construction firm.

They reject the offer butdo not disclose it to their current employer.

Later,the employer finds out that the client was upset and lost trust in the company.

4. Why Option D is Correct:

Not disclosing the situation could lead to unintended damage to business relationships.

Transparency is a key part of professional ethics.

Best Ethical Decision-Making Process

Consulting your employer first ensures transparency and professionalism.

Maintains good relationships with both employer and clientwithout creating conflicts.

Steps for Ethical Decision-Making:

Step 1: Acknowledge the Client’s Request Politely

“Thank you for reaching out. I need to check with my employer before I can commit.”

Step 2: Inform the Employer Immediately

Explain the situation honestlyand ask how they want to proceed.

Step 3: Work with the Employer to Respond to the Client

Find a fair and professional solutionthat aligns with company policies.

Why Option A is Correct:

Ensuresfull employer transparency and allows a professional response to the client.

Avoidsunethical decision-making or conflicts of interest.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

B (Handling it alone without consulting the employer)– Createsethical and contractual risks.

C (Refusing the client without informing the employer)– This isnot transparent and may harm relationships.

D (None of the options)– OptionA is the clear ethical choice.

1. What is Alternative G1?

The scenario describesa professional working on a project for their employerwhile alsobeing offered outside work related to the same field.

This createsa conflict of interest and a potential confidentiality violation.

2. Ethical Problems with Alternative G1

Confidentiality Breach:

The employeehas access to confidential company information.

Using this knowledgefor a personal project or another company is unethical and potentially illegal.

Conflict of Interest:

Accepting a competing contractcreates divided loyalties.

The professionalmay prioritize personal financial gain over their employer’s interests.

Employer-Employee Relationship:

Professionals owe aduty of loyalty to their employer.

Performing workfor a competitorisboth unethical and potentially grounds for dismissal.

3. Real-World Example: Ethical Violations in Competing Work

Scenario:

An engineerdesigning a proprietary control systemforCompany Ais approached byCompany B(a competitor) to work on asimilar system on their own time.

Even if they don’t directly copy their employer’s work, they are using knowledge gained from their employer’s project.

This is unethical and could lead to legal action.

4. Why Option A is Correct:

Accepting outside work in competition with an employer is unethical.

It jeopardizes both company interests and professional integrity.

5. Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

B (Ethically acceptable)– Incorrect becauseit violates confidentiality and creates a conflict of interest.

C (Not dealing with fairness, courtesy, or good faith)– This does not fully addressthe confidentiality and conflict-of-interest issues.

D (Contractually and ethically correct)– Incorrect becauseit is neither contractually nor ethically sound.

When faced with aconflict of interest, thefirst ethical and legal obligationisfull disclosure.

Step-by-Step Breakdown:

1. What is a Conflict of Interest?

Occurs whenpersonal, financial, or professional interests interfere with professional duties.

Example: ACET serving on a city councilalsoowns a private engineering firm bidding on a municipal contract.

2. Why Disclosure is the First Step:

Transparency prevents ethical violations.

Allowsemployers, clients, or government authoritiesto decide how to proceed fairly.

Often, professionalscan still work on projects if safeguards are in place.

3. Why Option A Is Correct:

Disclosing conflicts ensures fairness and trust.

Prevents legal repercussions, such asbreaching contract laws or professional misconduct charges.

4. Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

B (Resigning immediately)– May not be necessary if the conflict can beproperly managed.

C (Ignoring conflicts)– ViolatesOACETT’s Code of Ethics and Ontario business laws.

D (Withdrawing without disclosing)–Lack of transparency can raise suspicionand legal consequences.

1. Why Confidentiality Is the Core Ethical Issue Here

When working inengineering, technology, or applied sciences, professionals often haveaccess to proprietary company information.

Ethical professionalsmust safeguard this informationandnot disclose it to unauthorized parties.

2. Case Study Example: Confidentiality Breach

Scenario:

ACET working at an IT companygains access to anew prototype software design.

Without permission, theyshare some of the details with a former colleaguewho works at acompeting company.

This is aclear breach of confidentiality, violating:

Company policies

Employment contracts (Non-Disclosure Agreements - NDAs)

OACETT’s Code of Ethics

3. Why Confidentiality Violations Are Serious

Legal Consequences:

Companiescan take legal action for theft of intellectual property.

Breaching confidentialitycan result in terminationor loss of certification.

Ethical Consequences:

Trust between professionals, clients, and employersis destroyed.

The reputation ofboth the individual and the profession is damaged.

4. Why Option A Is Correct:

Confidentiality is a foundational ethical principlefor professionals working with sensitive information.

Maintaining confidentialityensures trust between professionals, companies, and clients.

5. Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

B (Accepting only qualified assignments)– Important, butnot the core ethical issue in this scenario.

C (Serving clients and employers)– Ethical service is required, butnot the main problem here.

D (Receiving adequate compensation)– Compensationis not relevant to this case.