Introduction
IEEE Software Engineering Code of Ethics
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is the worlds largest professional organization for the advancement of technology. All members of the organization agree to abide by its code of ethics, which details how members should conduct themselves – The IEEE Code of Ethics.
The code details 10 rules.
- Rule 1 – Ensuring the safety of the public & the environment
- Rule 2 – Educating individuals and society
- Rule 3 – Avoiding conflicts of interest
- Rule 4 – Avoiding unlawful conduct
- Rule 5 – Being honest in claims and criticism
- Rule 6 – Maintaining technical competence
- Rule 7 – Avoiding discrimination
- Rule 8 – Avoiding harassment
- Rule 9 – Avoiding hurting others
- Rule 10 – Supporting each other
The Association for Computing Machinery also Publishes its own code of ethics here.
Rule 1
Rule 1 – Ensuring the safety of the public & the environment
To hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public, to strive to comply with ethical design and sustainable development practices, to protect the privacy of others, and to disclose promptly factors that might endanger the public or the environment.
Case Studies
2
Rule 2 – Educating individuals and society
To improve the understanding by individuals and society of the capabilities and societal implications of conventional and emerging technologies, including intelligent systems.
3
Rule 3 – Avoiding conflicts of interest
To avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest whenever possible, and to disclose them to affected parties when they do exist.
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4
Rule 4 – Avoiding unlawful conduct
To avoid unlawful conduct in professional activities, and to reject bribery in all its forms;
Biggest Business Bribery Cases in History
5
Rule 5 – Being honest in claims and criticism
To seek, accept, and offer honest criticism of technical work, to acknowledge and correct errors, to be honest and realistic in stating claims or estimates based on available data, and to credit properly the contributions of others.
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6
Rule 6 – Maintaining technical competence
To maintain and improve our technical competence and to undertake technological tasks for others only if qualified by training or experience, or after full disclosure of pertinent limitations.
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7
Rule 7 – Avoiding discrimination
To treat all persons fairly and with respect, and to not engage in discrimination based on characteristics such as race, religion, gender, disability, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
Google Racial / Gender Discrimination Case
Professor fired for chastening student who was hard of hearing
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8
Rule 8 – Avoiding harassment
To not engage in harassment of any kind, including sexual harassment or bullying behavior.
9
Rule 9 – Avoiding hurting others
To avoid injuring others, their property, reputation, or employment by false or malicious actions, rumors or any other verbal or physical abuses.
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10
Rule 10 – Supporting each other
To support colleagues and co-workers in following this code of ethics, to strive to ensure the code is upheld, and to not retaliate against individuals reporting a violation.
Retaliation against whistleblowers spread
Resources
Past Paper Questions
S19 Paper 11 Question 4
J16 Paper 11 Question 6