Part of an engaging session at the ITE Annual Meeting and Exhibit, Mentoring and Ethical Behavior in a Changing Environment, explored generational ethics, asking the question--do ethics change with each generation? Panelist Michael Hofener, a third generation transportation engineer, presented his research on the topic, finding no matter what the differences are in each generational group, good ethics remain the same. While each generation is influenced by different world events and attitudes, people are taught right from wrong from their parents at an early age. Michael has found that he holds the same ethical values as his grandfather and father.
In looking at the millennial generation and ethics, recent studies have found that millennials may be more easily influenced to compromise their ethics by older generations, but they are also not afraid to speak up and point out when someone is violating an ethical code. One take-away is that staff should read the ITE canon of ethics together as a group to reaffirm the firm's or agencies' values and make sure everyone is on the same page.
In reading the ITE Canon of Ethics with his staff, panelist Dave Roseman found that the millennials in his office took issue with just one statement: that they should "actively oppose any and all untrue statements spoken about the profession." They pointed out that in this day and age of rapid media, opposing any and all untrue statements may be an unrealistic task. Dave's daughter and fellow transportation engineer Kaylinn Roseman pointed out that the millennial generation can work with the Gen X and Baby Boomer Generation to help figure out the ethical challenges that are arising in a world of rampant social media.
Loom for more takeaways from this session in an upcoming issue of ITE Journal!