There are a total of seven ethical principles in the construction industry. In the writing series, we open each principle one at a time and illustrate it with practical examples. In this paper, we will focus on the first principle.
In network cooperation, such as in construction projects, demonstrating responsibility and operating principles is essential. We want to build a partnership with reliable operators.
The representative board of Rakennusteollisuus RT has confirmed the common ethical principles of the member companies. Their purpose is to show the direction and example of how an operating culture that supports dialogue and cooperation between different actors can be actively promoted.
Respect all parties involved
Ethical principles embody a state of will about how we want things to be - so not necessarily how things are at the moment. They are situational definitions of right and wrong, they tell what is encouraged and what is not accepted.
Consideration and respect for different parties has clearly improved in the construction industry over the years. This was conveyed by the member survey carried out by Rakennusteollisuus RT in January 2018, which collected members' experiences about the meaning and implementation of ethical principles in practice.
There is still a lot to crack, especially at the level of projects and contractual relationships. In the survey, more than half of the respondents felt that in projects, the client often - or even always - tries to impose extra tasks and responsibilities on the contractor/supplier. In the free feedback, among other things, disproportionate payment terms and unreasonable schedule requirements came to the fore.
On the other hand, the main contractor's representative says that he still sometimes comes across subcontractors who "operate with unsustainable principles and methods of operation." This, in turn, leads to disruptions on the construction site, time-consuming investigations and other actions, and with them additional costs.
The rules of the game raise questions about the method of operation. Do we act fairly and fairly in relation to different actors? Which methods of operation need joint refinement? Even the good rules of the game turn into a grimace if we don't really intervene and change our way of doing things in accordance with the rules.
Transparency and discussion are the best antidote to suspicion
Various partnership-based implementation models have become common in construction in order to get rid of the confrontation between different parties. RT and its member companies have actively participated in the renewal of implementation models. Since the alliance and life cycle models are not suitable for all kinds of projects, the PETOKE project is also underway to develop traditional modes of operation so that cooperative modes of operation are introduced into them.
What the new implementation models have in common is the holding of cooperation meetings and an open discussion, so that the views of different parties can be proactively taken into account and reconciled.
Structures and game rules have their own meaning. In practical work, changing operating methods takes place through management, in practice through the example set by management and supervisors.
Inappropriate language should not be silenced
In the open feedback of the survey, one of the respondents, for example, said that he had noticed how one of the employees had "scrubbed" an Estonian, a very good employee. The defendant had intervened in the situation and stated that the conversation had helped. Another had stated that a foreman had used inappropriate language about a female customer. The matter had been brought up in the foreman's development discussion.
In the member survey, respondents emphasized the importance of intervention and discussion. Each of us is responsible for the quality of the workplace atmosphere and discussion culture. From the point of view of personnel, justice and fairness mean equal and respectful treatment of everyone.
See also
- JT Upkeep Oy's Jussi Tukiainen: "We play by fair rules. I'm active, I deal with situations right away, and I don't argue."
- Ethical principles of the construction industry
More information
Merja Vuoripuro, Construction Industry RT ry
tel. 040 587 2642, merja.vuoripuro@rt.fi
Sari Puurtinen, Juuriharja Consulting Group Oy
tel. 040 676 3772, sari.puurtinen@juuriharja.fi
Root brush is a coaching company specializing in ethical management