Remember our obligation to serve the public 9

[photoengineer]

I just got an e-mail from a guy that needs a professional engineer to do some work way out in the bookdocks. It will be a heck of a drive for me to do, but if I don't do the work, who will? The client needs a PE and there are only 8 licensed PEs in the entire county, most probably who wouldn't do the work anyway.

It is a reminder that when the state issues our license, we do have an obligation to provide our services to the public within reason. If I get a call from someone a long ways away, and there isn't anyone closer willing to do the work, then I'll make sure to take the job.

Cedar Bluff Engineering

http://cedarbluffengineering.webs.com

 

[oneintheeye]

exactly Kenat, this is nonsense. the obligation is to put the public above all else in our projects not subsidise clients. As I said you can always get an engineer like Macgyver would have eventually got a lawyer if he continually upped his offer unconditionally on outcome of the case, eventually a lawyer would go for it.

 

[FACS]

Bullcrap. No one is "Obligated" to any such thing just because they went through the registration program. It's a "choice" to get a PE license, and is therefore a Choice to use it or not.

A notary of republic has become a notary to provide a necessary service, and knows up front that they must notarize when asked to do so. It's a choice to enter this obligation.

Get a PE license and go flip burgers if you want. If YOU want to make a mandate on your own choice, and perceive yourself as soooo important that you view your job as an obligation...hey... more power to ya.

Don't project your obligatory views on others.



Charlie

http://www.facsco.com

 

[cvg]

purple stars are great, but both facebook and eng-tips need a thumbs down button

 

[GregLocock]

Oh I don't know, anyone trying to slap themselves on the back usually makes an amusing spectacle. "I helped out a regular customer who pays me on time" Big whoop.

Cheers

Greg Locock


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

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

 

[casseopeia]

I think you can serve the public in other ways, such as volunteer work that does not necessarily involve what you do for pay. Like coaching little league softball, or community clean-up projects. I always try to squeeze in some room for volunteer work. Right now I am offering my time two nights a week to help teach dance to the blind, but then I've got the time at the moment.

"If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance!"

 

[Ron]

Cass...way to go...That's what public service is about...not going to a remote location for a client who will pay your bill....

Let us know in the pub how things are going for you...we all want to know but they're too shy to ask....

I have a friend who has a business supplying used and new pet supplies...wire cages, cat scratch poles, etc. She spends so much time volunteering to rescue dogs (she has more than she can EVER afford....but she does it anyway because of her values and commitment...I admire her so....She would allow her business to fail before she would turn down a rescue...that's f'ing commitment.

If any of you are into animal rescue, check out someone who does it from the heart!!

http://www.petstuffresale.com

 

[HgTX]

"if we have a customer that is willing to pay a fair market rate"

Does that fair market rate include your travel costs? If not, then it's not a fair market rate.

Hg

Eng-Tips policies: faq731-376

 

[FSS]

The current economic climate has "obligated" me to take on work that I may have previously refused before, but it was always my choice (no matter how dumb). Feeling sorry for a potential client is a big step away from being legally obligated.

 

[cvg]

this is a free economy. if you are willing to take the work with less than normal compensation then I guess it is "fair". buyer and seller have a mutually agreed upon price. nobody is holding a gun to your head. If you don't believe it is fair and don't want the work, then don't take it. I just can't believe anybody would think that they are morally obligated to do it for any price or especially if it meets some arbitrary definition of a "fair market value" cost. Does the federal government set the minimum fair market value for my services? Hope not, but probably will soon.

 

[Ron]

FSS...well said! We can make any dumb decisions we want with regard to clients...but morally and ethically we're not obligated to do so!!