Political views question WITHOUT talking about your political views 5

[foco JS]

I work for a mechanical engineering design consulting firm. We primarily work with customers on consumer goods projects. We also work with artists frequently because we have many different high end 3D printers and we like to keep them running so we print out artwork. An artist recently came to us with a project that is very politically dividing and it doesn't align with the views of the company or the people at the company. We are small in numbers and all similarly politically minded.

We have turned down projects in the past that were not in line with our ethical standpoints but they were also borderline illegal so that was pretty easy. We just really don't want to do this particular political project.

My question is this, is it ethical to turn this down because we don't want to do it? I don't want it to turn into a supreme court cake situation... Is it okay to give them an absurdly high price instead of just saying no? (I suppose that creates a whole different situation if they accept the higher price.)

Please help me with this. Also, please try to keep your political opinions out of it.

 

[lacajun]

If the project is associated with something that is politically offensive to either or both parties, I would probably decline it. Just wouldn't want my name attached to it.

Pamela K. Quillin, P.E.
Quillin Engineering, LLC
NSPE-CO, Central Chapter

 

[bridgebuster]

I disagree. Serving the public interest as a design professional refers to ensuring that what we produce is safe. We turn down projects - occasionally - because the fee is too low or too much risk is being placed on us.

I agree; why give yourself a bad reputation over something you find offensive?

Providing a professional service is not the same as running a pizzeria.

 

[jari001]

I think moltenmetal's and controlnovice's answer is the only "right" answer in this situation...the company needs to get a consultation with a lawyer; I'd go as far as enlisting a 1st amendment specialist for this case. If the artwork is political in nature and is related to a protected class designation, it can get murky very quickly.

 

[Terratek]

C'mon man. How realistic is that, lol? Would you really go so far as to spend your money on a lawyer for this? I hope this comment is sarcastic. If you don't want to do a job, there are plenty of ways to not get selected. Its the actual GETTING of the projects that is the challenge. I suspect the people in charge are savvy enough to know how blow off a client.

 

[lacajun]

If I were you, I would check your states rules of conduct and think about them as it relates to this.

Pamela K. Quillin, P.E.
Quillin Engineering, LLC
NSPE-CO, Central Chapter

 

[beej67]

"What's that coming off the production line Steve?"

"3d printed Swastiaka. You know, the usual."


I'm with moltenmetal. If, for instance, you were hired to print swastikas or soviet hammers/sickles in Europe, there are quite a few laws you'd be breaking.



Hydrology, Drainage Analysis, Flood Studies, and Complex Stormwater Litigation for Atlanta and the South East -

http://www.campbellcivil.com

 

[Blueracer85]

Your consumer is an artist, he/she can have other political views. You should based on consumers' wishes whether you are against his/her political thoughts.

If your colleagues and you think that his/her political views may occur a supreme court situation, do not do the work.

Fatih

 

[GregLocock]

If the owners of the company don't want the work don't do it. If they do but the employees do not then they have a problem.

Cheers

Greg Locock


New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

 

[jari001]

@Terratek

If the artist is doing this work for commission, the artist may not care if they get the cold shoulder from any one company. If it's a passion project, I put money on future complications. This whole realm is grey in my mind, so if I were a business owner I'd at least want to get an idea of the landscape and landmines I could wade into with a decision. That's just me, might be a bit more paranoid than necessary.

 

[XR250]

I turn down work all the time for any number of reasons that I don't necessarily share with the potential client.