The Oath

By Andy Fiffick, Contributing Editor

Many of us in the automotive repair industry complain that we are not paid enough or respected enough for our place in society. The fact that many shop owners do not have higher education, coupled with a general lack of respect for our industry, results in a lack of recognition for our skills and dedication. I truly believe that continuing education for both the management staff and technicians can translate into more consumer respect for our industry; therefore, I’d like to concentrate on morals and ethics and how they can improve the perception of our industry. On a mission to find ways to enhance the public’s opinion of our industry and increase our professionalism, self-worth and operating procedures, I have talked to many shop owners. It is apparent to me that our industry needs to operate more professionally and ethically. After questioning some of our customer base, I believe that, as an industry, we don’t totally believe in ourselves or really know how to act professionally.Sure, some of us have a grasp on it, but there has never been a universal policy for us to follow. The data I’ve gathered points to the fact that we need to treat our fellow technicians, shop owners and customers with more respect and dignity. Let’s set some ground rules: I firmly believe that it is a transgression to openly criticize another technician or a competitor’s shop. It clearly sets the wrong example. Frankly, if we don’t respect our industry and ourselves, who will? We need to set the right example for the public to follow. We need to build the attitude within our industry that we are truly professionals and deserve to be treated as such. Even with the correct attitude, we still need to ‘talk the talk and walk the walk.’ Therefore, after reviewing the operating procedures, rules and regulations of other highly respected professions, I have developed a ‘Technician’s Hippocratic Oath’ that I’d like the industry to consider following.If we all follow these standards, I believe we can significantly increase the status of the automotive service and repair industry, as well as the professionals who make it their livelihood. Following and practicing the oath will help us earn the respect of the motoring public and pave the way to higher earnings for all. I ask that you make a copy of this oath and post it in your shop or on your toolbox. Read it weekly until you know it and believe it. Pass it along to your fellow technicians. Include it in your employee manual and make each new employee in your shop aware of the oath. It is up to all of us to make our industry better. Following this creed is a small step in the right direction.

Technician’s Hippocratic Oath

Many of us in the industry complain that we are not paid or respected enough for our place in society. The lack of respect along with the notoriety that goes along with higher education are two of the determining factors in the public’s image of us and how much they are willing to pay for our services. Everyone that knows me and reads my columns know that I truly believe in higher education for both the management staff and technicians; therefore, this article will concentrate on morals and ethics in our industry.

On a mission to enhance the public’s opinion of our industry and increase our professionalism, self-worth and operating procedures, I have talked to many shop owners over the past weeks, and it is apparent that our industry needs to operate more professionally and ethically. Per our many conservations and questioning some of our customer base, I believe that we don’t totally believe in ourselves and / or know how to act professionally. Sure, some of us have a grasp on it; however, there has never been a universal policy for us to follow. It appears that we need to treat our fellow technicians, shop owners and customers with more respect and dignity. I firmly believe that it is a transgression to criticize another technician and/or a competitor’s shop. It clearly sets the wrong example. Frankly, if we don’t respect ourselves and our industry, who will?

We need to set the right example for the public to follow and build the attitude within our industry that we are truly professionals and deserve to be treated as such. Even with the correct attitude, we still need to talk the talk and walk the walk; therefore, upon review of various versions of operating procedures, rules and regulations of other highly respected professions, I have developed the following Technician’s Hippocratic Oath for all of us to consider adhering to:

I _(insert your name here)_ do hereby solemnly swear to fulfill, to the best of my ability and judgement, this covenant:

1. I will respect the hard-won technical gains of those technicians in whose steps I walk and gladly share such knowledge as is mine with those who are to follow.

2. I will apply, for the benefit of the impaired and broken down, all measures and repairs which are required, avoiding those twin traps of unnecessary repairs and unnecessary charges. I will recommend corrective services and explain to the customer the needed repairs.

3. I will remember that there is art and procedure to automotive repair as well as science, and that a clear understanding of the complaint and failure along with the correct diagnostic and repair procedures far outweighs the need to just replace components until the vehicle is repaired.

4. I will not be ashamed to say “I know not” nor will I fail to call in my colleagues when the skills of another are needed for a vehicle’s proper repair. I will continue my education throughout my tenure and strive to repair the customer’s vehicle right the first time.

5. I will respect the privacy of my clients, fellow technicians and co-workers, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know. I will not knowingly undermine the reputation of any person or business in our industry.

6. I will remember that I do not repair just a vehicle, but an extension of a human being, whose family safety and economic stability may depend on the vehicle. My responsibility includes these related problems, if I am to care adequately for the vehicle.

7. I will recommend and / or perform preventive maintenance whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to failure. I will explain to the customer and public the benefits of preventive maintenance any time possible.

8. I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow human beings, those sound of mind and body as well as the infirm. I will uphold the high standards of our profession and seek to correct any abuses within our industry.

9. If I do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and motorized vehicles, respected while I live and remembered with affection thereafter. May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling, and may I long experience the joy of repairing those vehicles that need my expertise and the customers who need my professionalism.

If we all follow these standards, we can significantly increase the status of the automotive service and repair industry along with the professionals who make it their livelihood. Following and practicing the oath will help us earn the respect of others and the motoring public and pave the way to higher earnings for all. Please make a copy of this and post it in your shop or on your toolbox. Read it weekly until you know and believe it. Pass it along to your fellow technicians. Include it in your employee manual and make each new tech in your shop aware of the oath. It is up to all of us to make our industry better; following this oath is a small step in the right direction. If you would like a clean copy, please E-mail me at [email protected] and insert “Hippocratic Oath” in the subject line. I will be happy to send you out a copy for your personal use.

Sincerely,

Andy Fiffick