Pertaining to the subject of engineering ethics, Dominique asks whether it is ethical to hire an engineer who has recently worked for a competitor, and Chuck replies that while employed as a contractor at Chemitoil, Fred was not required to sign a non-disclosure agreement.

a) What issues are involved in hiring an engineer from a competitor?

b) Does Fred have any obligations of confidentiality to Chemitoil even if he has not signed a non-disclosure agreement?