A Bad Rap on Ethics

Let's face it, contractors and construction company owners too often get a bad rap. Popular cable television programs like The Sopranos help spread the myth that every contractor from flooring installers to brick masons to refuse haulers are crooked, controlled by the mob, or both. The typical Hollywood stereotype might be the burly contractor dressed in black leather who is taking a bribe one minute and burying his competition inside a freshly poured concrete trench the next.

Fact is, many construction professionals the world over pride themselves on maintaining the highest ethical standards, and many do so at the expense of their bottom line. Recently the Ethisphere Institute released its "2010 World's Most Ethical (WME) Companies" report. At the top of the list was Parsons, a contractor that took part in rebuilding the Pentagon after the 9/11 attacks. Upon receiving the award, Parsons CEO Chuck Harrington said: "This designation ties directly with our integrity core value. Each of our core values has a goal, and for integrity our goal is zero deviations from our corporate ethics policy."

As a construction professional, what do you do to maintain only the highest ethical standards?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Building & Design, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Building & Design today.