Pro. Prac. (Exam 3) 2023 Update
Defining Ethics - ANS-- Moral corrections
- unwritten rules of conducts (for interactions with each other)
- right vs.
... [Show More] wrong in business setting
Stakeholder of Your Profession - ANS--Perception of interior designers, while getting
better, is still weak in the public's eye
- Media exposure is not complimentary
- no difference is apparent between interior designers and decorators in the public's
mind
Perceptions - ANS-- slow to change
- are people's reality
- determine thought and action
- not necessarily true
Making Choices - ANS-*Decisions that involve:
- conflict of interest
- competition
- misuse of proprietary information
- employee theft
Competition - ANS-*Tough economy can = stretching ethical boundaries
- accepting discounts w/o passing on
- designers making offer to clients already under contract with other designer
- clients already under contract shopping for designer's ideas
Conflict of Interest - ANS-*Conflict in private interest vs public (fiduciary) duties - acting
in position of trust for someone else
(Ex: if you have a client, make it known that the client can trust you without verbally
saying that they can)
Fiduciary Duties - ANS-acting in position of trust for someone else
Proprietary Information - ANS-*Info, graphics, designs belonging to person or business
- client list
- financial data
- discount policies
- trade secrets
*Ethical Issues especially if leaving company where working
*Employees may have to sign non-disclosure agreements when hired to not share info
w/ other companies if fired
Employee Theft - ANS-* Taking/using business supplies for personal use:
- minor: taking home pens, using copiers for person flyers
- major: taking petty cash for personal use, copying company software for
"moonlighting"
Moonlighting - ANS-taking up a project behind old boss' back and using his resources
without him knowing
Why Do People Behave Unethically - ANS-*Motivated by self interest
*Careless
* See no harm in behavior
Self Interest - ANS-showing work that is not your own to get ahead, get better job
Carelessness - ANS-*Habitual behavior:
- over-billing clients by over-ordering fabric for use in another project
Seeing No Harm - ANS-*"Everybody does it" attitude
*Using deposit money to pay bills or pay for orders for another client (can be legal
issue)
* Accepting commissions
* Accepting kickbacks
(can only accept commissions and kickbacks with client's permission)
Commissions - ANS-*Cash incentive for specifying particular product directly from
vendor
- Additional revenue to designer
- not large amount; only paid after client places order
- unethical when not reported to client
Kickback - ANS-*Special discount given to one designer but not all (for specification or
bid on job)
- unethical when special price for special treatment is given & to favor one product over
another
Buying a Job - ANS-pricing services/goods for bid drastically lower than competition to
obtain job (too low for others to complete)
Professional Conduct - ANS-*Abiding by professionally accepted standards:
- signing membership agreement with professional organization = agreement to abide
by code of ethics
-applies only to members (no ethical charge can be made against non-members)
Why do Professional Organizations have a "Codes of Conduct"/Ethics? - ANS-to
develop a standard that all members can follow so that clients can count on consistent
behavior from a member
ASID Code of Ethics - ANS--1.0 Preamble (Intro)
*Consists of Designer's Responsibility to:
-2.0: Public
-3.0: Client
-4.0: Other Interior designers/colleagues
-5.0: Profession
-6.0: Employer
-7.0: Enforcement (consequences)
2.0: Responsibility to the Public - ANS--2.1: Comply with laws/regulations
-2.2: Sign/Seal ONLY drawings/specs. created by you (NCIDQ)
-2.3: Consider/report situations affecting health, safety, welfare of public space
-2.4: no false advertising
-2.5: no gifts/payments to public officials which may influence opinion/decision
-2.6: do not assit/abet illegal conduct
- do not coerce them into making other decision
- put it in writing so you do not get into trouble
Ethics Checklist: Public - ANS-* Do you place health, safety and welfare considerations
foremost in design solutions?
*Do you advertise and promote your firm accurately, using proper appellations and valid
claims about qualifications?
* Have you researched, and are you in compliance with, all applicable laws in the
jurisdictions in which you practice?
* Do you follow up after installations with post-occupancy evaluations?
3.0: Responsibility to the Client - ANS--3.1: Create clear contracts: scope, services,
compensation
-3.2: May offer professional services for any legal compensation
-3.3: Only take on projects qualified for
-3.4: Fully disclose all compensation
-3.5: Do no share confidential information or use photographs without client permission
-3.6: Be truthful in communication
-3.7: Be fiscally responsible
Ethics Checklist: Client - ANS-*Do you have a formal, written customer relations policy,
including a process for correcting mistakes and resolving unsettled complaints?
* Is this policy clear and understood by your client?
* Do you stress open communication and full disclosure in all client relations?
* Do you act with fiscal responsibility in the best interest of your client?
* Do you honor your clients' confidentiality, obtaining permission for use of photographs
and project details?
* Do you put the needs of your clients over your own? [Show Less]