Ethical dilemma - wwyd if someone you knew was breaking the law through ignorance?

[ticklish]

Hi everyone,

Wondering trying to pick your brains to sort out an ethical dilemma.

...

Would you act for the sake of the innocent public and potentially destroy a friendship forever? We also have mutual friends in common so it makes things even more complicated.

Help!!

Ticklish

[Maruschke]

Well... you might not have a choice. If you have a duty of care and don't say something you might be jointly liable.

Seems as though by acting outside of his licence he is doing shoddy work and that should never happen. You see on the news all the time... people's lives ruined because of a shoddy building job sucking all their money to fix.

My family is in the building industry and they aim for high quality professional work and this just sounds like the complete opposite.

Yes, I would say something. If you knew a doctor didn't have qualifications you'd say something, a builder is operating on a house that needs to be structurally sound to house and protect a family.

It sucks but what sucks more would be the consequence to others health and finances.

[*Twinkle*]

I would do an annon tip off. That's something you cannot hold in. What if he destroys others dreams and you knew?


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[ticklish]

Thanks Maruschke and Twinkle.

The doctor analogy is a good one. That's it! I would say something about a doctor - no question. We are hurting financially because of this and boy does it hurt.

I now know to check registration details with the Building Commission before entering into any contract. Anyone considering any building work needs to do the same. Learn from my lessson.

Be wary out there!

Thanks for your help.

TICKLISH

[Purple Penguin]

I would probably do the anon tip off before he destroys someone elses life.

[HotI]

Hope i'm not out of line, but it sounds like his actions might be out of arrogance rather than ignorance.

If you do decide to report anonymously, keep it quiet cos you don't want to get found out.

[Maruschke]

Knowing the building industry, it's bloody hard to be ignorant of the licencing rules. It would have to be deliberate.

[LionsandBears]

Sounds intentional to me. I'd dob him in.

[Ella]

Definitely definitely say something.

My dad is a builder and he has always spoken to me about the dangers of dodgy work. What if he leaves a wire exposed and a child gets electrocuted? A dodgy railing and a child falls 2 storeys. It's not just money for yourself and others you have to think of. There are so many bad things that could happen if this man is obviously careless in his work.

I would go anonymous like you said, but I think you would feel awful if you found out something terrible happened and you could have said something. If you're friend is a true friend then be there for her through whatever follows, but make sure you do what you know is right

[willow5]

Doesn't sound like ignorance to me, Not now that you've described his website. Sounds completely intentional

[Janie71]

I used to work in insurance for the building industry and it would be very strange for this to be through ignorance. The building industry is highly regulated with requirements for continuing education. I strongly suspect this is intentional and would encourage you to tell the building commission.

Janie xxx

[LuluHB]

I think if the best you can say about your friend is that you have a civil relationship, and you are out of pocket because of her husband's work then I think you should make a formal complaint and apply for compensation. I agree with the others in that the chance of him having acted in ignorance are pretty slim. We have the Builders Registration Board here where you take complaints - I'm guessing there is something similar in your state. If what he has done on your house isn't up to spec then you may have issues if you want to sell your house down the track, so its worth getting it sorted out properly now - and not at your expense!

[ticklish]

We have the Builders Registration Board here where you take complaints - I'm guessing there is something similar in your state. If what he has done on your house isn't up to spec then you may have issues if you want to sell your house down the track, so its worth getting it sorted out properly now - and not at your expense!

Yes, I have already contacted the relevant authorities without naming any names before Christmas.

If you do decide to report anonymously, keep it quiet cos you don't want to get found out.

Of course. Will also not keep my posts up here too long so as not to trace it back to me -

[Maruschke]

I would also be seeking compensation for however much you were out of pocket... friends don't do that to other friends.