THE BENEFITS OF FORMING AND MAINTAINING ETHICAL RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN CONSULTING GEOLOGISTS AND SUBCONTRACTORS

There are numerous benefits to having ethical relationships between consulting geologists and subcontractors. In the field of applied geology, subsurface exploration is usually needed to complete a thorough site investigation and subcontractors are often hired for jobs such as excavating trenches or test pits, drilling holes, collecting samples, or installing wells. Benefits of ethical relationships with subcontractors may include increased safety, better geologic data collection, easier budgeting and scheduling on future projects, and lower costs.

Unethical behavior may be motivated by a desire to save time, save money, obtain more desirable scheduling, and/or avoid hassles and delays involved with obtaining permits or having utilities located.

Some examples of unethical behavior on the part of a geologist include: 1) Asking a subcontractor to perform work without obtaining required permits (or lying about having required permits); 2) failing to disclose accurate site characteristics that may require extra time, money, or man-power on the part of the subcontractor; 3) failing to accurately disclose the scope of work that may require additional time and manpower on the part of the subcontractor; 4) pressuring a contractor to work in a situation that he/she feels is unsafe; 5) withholding payment from a subcontractor or failing to pay on schedule; 6) pressuring subcontractor to omitting procedures that may be required law.

Some examples of unethical behavior on the part of the subcontractor include: 1) Operating without a license(s); 2) Mishandling or data or samples; 3) being disingenuous about his/her skills and/or or the capabilities of his/her equipment; 4) billing dishonestly.

Ethical behavior ultimately strengthens relationships and improves communication between geologists and subcontractors. Better relationships and communication facilitate budgeting and scheduling future projects, allow greater efficiency and precision in the field, reduce the risk of accidents, and, ultimately, save money.