Know your IREM code of Professional Ethics article 5: relations with other members of the profession.(Institute of Real Estate M

EARLY IN MY CAREER, I WAS GIVEN EXCELLENT ADVICE BY THE OWNER OF A REAL ESTATE FIRM. SHE TOLD ME "DON'T BURN ANY BRIDGES AS YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU MAY NEED THAT PERSON DOWN THE ROAD."

This cliche aptly applies to how you conduct yourself with your peers. There can be many pitfalls you might encounter during your years in the industry. Knowing some of these situations and how you should react comes from experience, training and knowing right from wrong. Here are some hypothetical workplace situations:

SITUATION ONE John works in a real estate leasing office with you and has been working with a client for some time. The client sees a newspaper ad and comes to the office wanting to see the listed property. You take the client out because John is not in the office that day. The client buys the property. You feel you are entitled to the commission as you made the sale.

SITUATION TWO You notice that Susan always has a bunch of personal mail that she is putting though the stamp meter machine and you have seen her taking supplies from the office. Should you tell the office manager? This can be a difficult situation because you like Susan but you know she is cheating the company.

SITUATION THREE Ann's boss, Gary, is always touching or brushing up against her. He has subtly indicated that he could help her move up the ladder and would be willing to meet with her after work to help her brush up on her skills. Ann believes he is suggesting more than help and is unsure how to handle the situation. She needs her job but she has no interest in Gary.

SITUATION FOUR Whenever Jane eats lunch with Robyn, Robyn is always talking negatively about the black and Jewish workers in the company. Jane has observed Robyn treating one of the black workers harshly and piling work on her that others don't want to do. Jane sees a good case for discrimination by the worker against Robyn. She isn't certain what she should do because she wants to remain friends with Robyn and Robyn is also her superior.

SITUATION FIVE Dan has an excellent offer to take a position with another company making much more money. It would be "a feather in his cap" if Dan could take some of his companies' business with him. After all, these clients have been working with him for years and they would be much happier knowing he would still handle their accounts. Is Dan being fair to his present employer?

Most of these situations involve ethical behavior and could easily be solved by making sure the company you work for or perhaps own has a good employee manual which outlines expectations and policies along with frequent reinforcement and training for the employees. Many companies now have a diversity council, and frequent training and role playing, so employees understand discrimination, improper behavior in the workplace, stealing, accepting gifts, and employment policies. Many companies likewise have their employees sign a contract which discusses taking a client when someone leaves the company or how commissions are handled. If the company has a Human Resource Department, the employee should be made comfortable knowing they can go to this department or to their boss to discuss any situation with out repercussions.

BY JOY JAGIELLO, CPM [R]

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