Hiring an institutional geologist for private risk assessment?
July 27, 2020 10:07 AM Subscribe
Is it considered ethical to contact a geologist who works for a government institute for the purpose of hiring them for private work?
I may in the medium-term future be interested in hiring a geologist for some private work doing geological risk assessment on land located in a country that is foreign to me, located in the EU.
There do not appear to be any major engineering firms located in that area, but there are two relevant governmental institutions, both research-oriented, with expertise in the topic and location-specific knowledge. I can identify several possible individuals I may be interested in paying.
Would it be appropriate to contact them, or is that exposing them to some form of ethical breach?
The work would involve a set of reports on several disparate areas outlining general hazards for each area ("don't buy land here, or here, or over there"), potentially followed by deeper reports on a couple candidate properties ("if you buy this land, put the buildings here, or here, but not over there").
These reports would likely use information developed in the course of their work for the government, and we can assume I can adapt to any particular financial requirements that may be needed to keep payments above-board. It's also fine if they point me to a private company -- I just don't want anyone to get in trouble because I sent them an email.
I may in the medium-term future be interested in hiring a geologist for some private work doing geological risk assessment on land located in a country that is foreign to me, located in the EU.
There do not appear to be any major engineering firms located in that area, but there are two relevant governmental institutions, both research-oriented, with expertise in the topic and location-specific knowledge. I can identify several possible individuals I may be interested in paying.
Would it be appropriate to contact them, or is that exposing them to some form of ethical breach?
The work would involve a set of reports on several disparate areas outlining general hazards for each area ("don't buy land here, or here, or over there"), potentially followed by deeper reports on a couple candidate properties ("if you buy this land, put the buildings here, or here, but not over there").
These reports would likely use information developed in the course of their work for the government, and we can assume I can adapt to any particular financial requirements that may be needed to keep payments above-board. It's also fine if they point me to a private company -- I just don't want anyone to get in trouble because I sent them an email.
If there are any post-secondary institutions that have a program related to this, they might be worth thinking about, as well - I'm not sure if you're hoping to find private government records, public records, or original research, but the first two might just need a good researcher.
posted by sagc at 10:15 AM on July 27, 2020
posted by sagc at 10:15 AM on July 27, 2020
Best answer: You should be okay; as saeculorum said, the primary ethical concern would be if they are involved in regulating somehow, and in any reasonable case asking the question should be okay; they can always say no, and depending on the government, it's possible that they wouldn't be permitted to moonlight, but again asking should still be fine as long as you accept no for an answer.
In my initial contact, I'd ask if they were available or could refer/recommend someone to you, which gives them a clear out if they aren't interested or don't feel comfortable. I'd also not talk about compensation initially (beyond saying "looking to hire" or something that clearly implies you are willing to pay for the work), to be on the safe side.
posted by Superilla at 10:46 AM on July 27, 2020 [2 favorites]
In my initial contact, I'd ask if they were available or could refer/recommend someone to you, which gives them a clear out if they aren't interested or don't feel comfortable. I'd also not talk about compensation initially (beyond saying "looking to hire" or something that clearly implies you are willing to pay for the work), to be on the safe side.
posted by Superilla at 10:46 AM on July 27, 2020 [2 favorites]
Best answer: I evaluate conflicts of interest professionally; I'm not your conflict interest expert, nor am I specifically an expert in COIs related to EU government employees. But for what it's worth: no sane COI policy has someone get in trouble for being asked to take on a job. Depending on what they do for the government and what you're asking them to do, they could get in trouble for taking the job or referring the job to anyone in particular, so approach them with that in mind and don't be offended if they say no or can't offer you alternative contacts. But asking should be fine unless they're under some really weird restrictions.
If you want to shore yourself up a bit against getting entangled in any future issues between them and their job, you could put something in your contract/agreement/conversations/whatever asking them to confirm that there are no potential conflicts for them in doing this work for you, once you do decide to move ahead with a particular person.
posted by Stacey at 11:31 AM on July 27, 2020 [1 favorite]
If you want to shore yourself up a bit against getting entangled in any future issues between them and their job, you could put something in your contract/agreement/conversations/whatever asking them to confirm that there are no potential conflicts for them in doing this work for you, once you do decide to move ahead with a particular person.
posted by Stacey at 11:31 AM on July 27, 2020 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Hi there - if you still have questions please message me - I am a geologist working for the govt in the EU and I should be able to help you with further details if you need them.
posted by sedimentary_deer at 2:59 PM on July 27, 2020
posted by sedimentary_deer at 2:59 PM on July 27, 2020
Response by poster: Thanks all; we're mildly anxious to avoid impropriety (either real or imagined) from the outset, so we're aiming to be excruciatingly aboveboard at every possible step.
posted by aramaic at 3:38 PM on July 29, 2020
posted by aramaic at 3:38 PM on July 29, 2020
« Older Field switching before the PhD - advice? | Mindset before and during a Stressful Conversation Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
There are ethical and legal considerations for engineers that participate in work they may also have a part in regulating through the government. However, that consideration is on them, not you, and is applicable at the point of partaking in that work, not upon initial contact.
posted by saeculorum at 10:11 AM on July 27, 2020 [5 favorites]