No morals in the work place!

Has the world gone mad? I mean do people just get where they are in life now by lying, cheating and stealing?

I work in insurance and I actually love my job it's just the people I work for and with who have extremely questionable work ethics and morals and it realllllly gets to me!

One thing i can't stand in general in life are people who lie and the worse being people who lie to make a sale!! That will make me so flippin' pissed off. Everyone I work with has no issue lying to close a deal. I have told my boss I will not do what they do to get anyone to close a deal. ONE it's wrong and two if something were to ever come from a claim there is a huge chance it wouldn't be paid out!

For example: Lying about roof age, plumbing and electrical. Lying about pretty much everything. I mean there is no reason we can't just ask! If I am rewriting a policy, which is often, I am most of the time left having to explain to customers their previous policy wasn't written right. I get questioned to death as to why they were never asked this before and I just say "the agent who wrote it didn't ask" but my boss told me "we don't throw people under the bus" and my reply was "Well we don't lie to customers either now do we." It would make sense to just ASK UPFRONT! They seem to think that once they signed a policy anything that comes later on we can just re-write (my job) and then it's done, however that isn't the case. Most we do this to end up having issues with their mortgage especially if it's paid in escrow!! It seems I am the only one who sees how bad it is to re-write a policy when if it were written right in the first place you wouldn't need to re-write it! He seems to think it's funny about lying and has said I'm too nice to people. NO I AM IN SERVICE! IT IS WHAT SERVICE PEOPLE DO! IF they only knew how many customers I have saved because of crap the agents do and most of the time it's what they don't do. SO what if I have to remind some people monthly of their payment! It's my job as the ONLY customer service rep! One of us here has to take care of the clients.

Another lie they love to tell people, if you have your home and auto here we can bundle and give you a discount. THAT IS A FLAT OUT LIE! We can't do anything like that since we represent so many carriers. The only way to bundle would be to write a Progressive auto and an ASI home and that is it and that's only because they are partnered together. It really irritates me they tell people this because when they as ME about it they are confused and again I have to profusely apologize for the agent lying to them.

Now the cheating crap irritates me because I work for the independent agency. Next door on the other side of the wall is the other agency that is affiliated with a major national insurance company. We are TWO different agencies (same family owns them) meaning we are not suppose to work together. The other side has actually been investigated because previous employees reported them but AS USUAL they get away with it. They also bought two other agencies this year and we share with them, when that is so not allowed. Also may I add one person works here with no license so technically she shouldn't be working here. The only way you can't get a license is a felony. So when some of the higher ups are here or the insurance board they put her in a back office out of site. It irks me because I am the one who took over her job and with that came many mistakes, mistakes customers had to pay for! I mean how can they keep someone who isn't licensed? I would think that's a huge liability. I could give numerous accounts of policies that were messed that she did and the customer had to pay out or go to court as a result and they just swept it under the rug. This bothers me because she shouldn't be working on any policies. It is just wrong!

My friend who works on the other side was cheated out of recognition because the owner MADE her give her sales credit to two others so they could win a trip to Vegas, which is where they are now. I am sorry but I find it so wrong! My friend did that work, she earned it yet the owner said it was too late for her to enter so he made her sales be put through like the other two did them. CHEATING! My friend is the one person on that side I would recommend as an agent. The others no way! They are too dishonest and I wouldn't want someone I know being lied to on something as important as insurance.

Lets see other things that drive me crazy. LUNCH! I am docked 30 mins a day yet I rarely even take a lunch. It's basically frowned up in an unofficial capacity to take a lunch. They also unofficially expect you to work late or at home and on weekends, all not getting paid either. I do eat at my desk but sometimes when I leave for lunch I feel so guilty that I am leaving, like it's inconveniencing them while I'm gone to answer the phones....

I love my job. I actually enjoy it but these dishonest parts make it hard for my own personal morals! I actually got really upset one day when my boss screwed up someone's policy and he just shrugged it off, tried to blame the customer and said to re-write her. Yet I had to tell her the bad news and it made me feel terrible. As an empath I feel people even over the phone! This woman's insurance is billed through her escrow and when my boss made the mistake and didn't cancel her previous policy like he SAID HE WOULD (happens all the time) her mortgage company paid a policy that was to be cancelled and paid her new policy so it caused her to be negative and it raised her mortgage payment by $200 a month! She was retired and on a fixed income. I completely understand since I am a single mom living on $13/hr. It's not easy but I budget so I completely understand customers like her. It happens way too much and it is affecting me personally. I feel like i can't do my job if others don't seem to care. How can I be honest to a client when everyone else is lying and then they question me as to why what i say isnt the same as everyone else. It sucks.

One last thing that irks me is Grant Cardone. Yea the owner was conned by this man into believing he is the best. Yea the guy is a whack job. I haven't watched him in months. I flat out told them to give my log in to another person who may benefit. The guy makes me cringe and his constant emails about money money money and being rich and having a jet...make me want to GAG! He also thinks intelligence is overrated. What? Really? I can't even with that guy.



I am very disappointed in the professional world today. I saw the same corruption at the bank. I can't tell you how many times tellers and sales people lied to get goals. Yea you think that was only WellsFargo? No Bank of Satan aka Bank of America, did the same crap only they either havent been caught or hushed it under he rug.

What happened to honesty?

I see the same when i order online now! I recently ordered a ring, it said 925 sterling silver. I get the ring and it's silver but not sterling and in two days turns my finger green. I message the seller who immediately tries to cover up their lie and I show him screen shots of the listing when i ordered. Did I get my money back? Heck no. Does this person still sell their fake crap as real on various sites? Absolutely! This isn't the first item I've had where it wasn't what was listed. Isn't that false advertising?

Why can't people just be honest?

Sounds like the mortgage industry...

a reply to: Edumakated

No industry or business should ever be ran like this.

It irks the hell out if me when a business try to cover their tracks of incompetence, I'm in the process of sorting some mess out myself because something that should've been checked and rectified beforehand wasn't... In this case I'd normally wouldn't have a leg to stand on but I've got evidence and if it goes to court science will back me up.

But it shouldn't be this way, no wonder business can be so regulated. If I go buy a car I shouldn't have to be a mechanic.

We live and learn though, it's just a shame that often it's a case of fool me once. Op, I applaud you on being a decent human being and approaching your job with honesty, integrity and a decent work ethic.

originally posted by: RAY1990
a reply to: Edumakated

No industry or business should ever be ran like this.

It irks the hell out if me when a business try to cover their tracks of incompetence, I'm in the process of sorting some mess out myself because something that should've been checked and rectified beforehand wasn't... In this case I'd normally wouldn't have a leg to stand on but I've got evidence and if it goes to court science will back me up.

But it shouldn't be this way, no wonder business can be so regulated. If I go buy a car I shouldn't have to be a mechanic.

We live and learn though, it's just a shame that often it's a case of fool me once. Op, I applaud you on being a decent human being and approaching your job with honesty, integrity and a decent work ethic.

Unfortunately, not everyone is honest. It just isn't businesses though... you see some the lies I see from consumers too.

I see similar shenanigans in the IT/home computer field.

Over-charging for 'services' that really shouldn't be.

Selling extra virus protections (shouldn't be running 2).

flat out padding the bill, etc.

It's dishonest and greedy. Grandma doesn't need a gaming-type laptop unless she is playing top end games. It's a question you should ask her, not just point her to a top end laptop with gaming graphics card because she says she wants something nice..

I find the majority of sales people to be scumbags.

We once had a copier sales person sell us a lease on copiers. The lease was for 36 months and was signed by us.

Later we come to find out that the scum bag sales guy had crossed out the 36 month and put 60 months on the contract he turned in to his company.

We had a meeting with the ceo of the company and the sales person and they both acted like asses when we showed them our signed 36 month contract. And had to be escorted out.

Luckily enough the bank the lease was sold to saw the fraud and terminated the lease.

So like you said. Ethics fall by the wayside in order to get the sale.

a reply to: mblahnikluver

We should talk (not on this thread)... I am also working in insurance, specifically personal lines (auto, homes, umbrellas, rec. vehicles, etc.).

I feel your pain and can totally relate. Don't let it rub off on you...

a reply to: mblahnikluver

I thought lying cheating and stealing we're the default setting for the free market system??

It's worked out well for the wealthiest anyway. Beating them seems out of the question. Perhaps we should join them instead??

Start documenting all of it and make a case and sue them. If you continue to work there you really have nothing to say as you are part of the machine and are making it work. Take them down or quit if you really have a high moral. No disrespect at all but the whole look the other way does not cut it anymore.

originally posted by: mblahnikluver
Has the world gone mad? I mean do people just get where they are in life now by lying, cheating and stealing?
...
Why can't people just be honest?

Yes.
Not only for money, but for image and reputation as well.

Bless your heart, for you are one of the rare good ones.
Do a search in your area, for fair employers.
Community organizations; Co-ops; etc...
You deserve better.

originally posted by: CosmicAwakening
Start documenting all of it and make a case and sue them. If you continue to work there you really have nothing to say as you are part of the machine and are making it work. Take them down or quit if you really have a high moral. No disrespect at all but the whole look the other way does not cut it anymore.

While I agree with you to an extent it isn’t easy for a single mother to just up and quit. The OP had been searching for a job for awhile before she got this one, and was very happy to finally be working again.

I think by staying, she can challenge their sense of morals and integrity, and that may be a good thing. Hopefully she doesn’t get let go because of her integrity.

No morals in the work place!

Get a mad dog attorney and prepare to be fired, they already have you tagged as a malcontent and not a team player.... Moral people are a liability in the insurance business.

Threaten to notify the State Attorney General and watch their reaction. You might just get a yugggeeee raise or get fired, but either way, you will profit bigly!

Play dirty and take no prisoners....it's the American way!

a reply to: mblahnikluver

I would actually say that for certain segments of business, this is standard operating procedure. The rare ones that try and operate with honor and integrity usually are at a disadvantage and soon fold, unless they are being led by a genius. There are other segments of business that it is much harder to build a business based on fraud. Those are usually the trades where the terms are simple. Once you get into the convoluted, fraud usually follows, like insurance and banking.

Simplicity is the cure for dishonesty. At least you acknowledge your choice in working there and the pain that is involved. Does the paycheck allow you to put up with the pain? At least you are not selling your soul willingly, right?

And for those that claim it is a free market capitalist system that allows this.....PURE BS!!!

I mean, this reality just forces people to sell their soul for power and material gain right? Well, if it was up to the individual and their own free will, people would no longer be able to blame their environment for crossing the line and giving in. Much more comforting to blame the system instead of the individual.

a reply to: mblahnikluver

I worked for a huge company that taught us to "assume the sale". We could add on thousands of dollars onto a product and as long as the customer handed over their credit card it was a sale. We had oodles of complaints once the customer would get their bill and would start picking over the extras that had been added. "I never agreed to xxxxx, or to xxxxxx. And what is xxxx?" Why didn't you tell me what I was buying?" The customers that yelled the loudest had those charges credited back.

Be forewarned that it is all about the sale, about who brings in the most. Management will smile and keep your feathers smoothed but behind your back they see you as taking the place of someone who can bring in more money. So be careful. I suggest you keep records to protect yourself in case you lose your job. This is happening everywhere and you are only a number.

There are still companies out there that operate on morals and pride of providing a service. They are hard to find. It might not be a bad idea to look around, do your homework, and have steps in place just in case. Not to scare you, but realistically it is the times we live in.

My company also did the lunch and break thing. Before we knew it we no longer had breaks. We would work through lunch knowing that if we didn't we'd have to stay late and some were not able to do that: single parents, people with second jobs, other obligations (I mention those who had valid reasons not to work overtime because the valid reasons weren't of any concern to management, let alone those who simply have put in their time weren't validated in the same way) and so because we chose to work through our lunches just to get the work done we weren't paid overtime or given any other compensation because it had been our own choice to do so. It didn't matter that there was no other way to get the work done (no one able to stay after hours often).

Make note of overtime worked, get familiar with your labor laws and track everything.

You love your work, but in the end the love of your work and the fact you work for a soul-less life sucking entity means you will slowly start dying inside and hate life and come to resent everything around you and soon you will be in a cycle of no escape. Lived it. I wish you all the best. Be strong for yourself because no one else will.

a reply to: mblahnikluver

I worked for a few weeks at a Liverpool call centre that took orders for a catalogue company. Worst job so far. Most of your objections happened at the call centre and I came to suspect humans are several different species that just look similar.

Every order was supposed to have insurance bolted on using a script. Well there was no mention of that in the job description so I refused to sell. Everyone else was selling unnecessary insurance and whooping it up with joy. Leader boards showed who was employee of the week on sales. "Yay! I screwed over 300 people this week and love my bonus!"

I feel like i can't do my job if others don't seem to care. How can I be honest to a client when everyone else is lying and then they question me as to why what i say isnt the same as everyone else. It sucks.

We'd get calls from pensioners who'd paid up front and found themselves paying 'payment protection' for 12 months and couldn't afford it. I advised them to contact the 'Mail Order Protection Scheme' and file complaints.

Needless to say I didn't last long, didn't get fully paid and walked out broke.

Your experiences are similar to the reason I left the banking industry to start my own businesses. It isn’t just employers either. Finding an honest employee is like finding a needle in haystack. Thank you for sharing.

I am 52 now and sometimes I find it hard to believe just how bad company's treat clients .
It is like they dont care how many they lose . They lie cheat steel and of coarse show a huge profit ( This year )
Next year they are bankrupt .

Thing is this new way of doing business will fail you cant cheat your way through real life .
Personialy I have been expecting the economy to finly die for years 9 Not because of trade or lak of jobs but because
No one gives a dam about anything then what every they want at that second ( heck then dont even think about what they will need later in life any longer .

I promise you this you young people ( the ones between 18 and 30 enjoy it wile you can because the bill is coming do and we ( all of humanity are BROKE .)

originally posted by: CosmicAwakening
Start documenting all of it and make a case and sue them. If you continue to work there you really have nothing to say as you are part of the machine and are making it work. Take them down or quit if you really have a high moral. No disrespect at all but the whole look the other way does not cut it anymore.

As for documenting, oh you bet your rear I do. I've even recorded our Wednesday meetings because if the main company knew what they were doing they would be in trouble! We are not suppose to share anything with the other company at all.

The owners know everyone in town so it's not like i can do much. It's actually quite annoying to be honest. The owners father started the main side 45 years ago! My side, the independent side was started about 3 years ago. They funnel back and forth and it's wrong. I think it's actually illegal on the main side because of who they are contracted with. That particular company came and investigated them recently but of course they were cleared of wrong doing, that was right around when I first started and didn't know how bad it really was.

Also take them down? I am a single mom and I can't afford to job hop or quit. I also cant afford to be blacklisted by the jerk owner to where nobody will hire. You seemed to have missed the point of my post. The point is NOBODY CARES and it seems there isn't anything you can do. I mean sure I document and record but in the end what can I really do with that??

a reply to: mblahnikluver

Perhaps you could increase your own pay by better finding them ways to bleed the clients?? You seem to have the knowledge on how to do it properly. May as well show them you can be the best at it right?? Maybe kiddo's college tuition and first car could be secured more quickly??

Anything you can do for your baby's future has to be a positive.

Try the finance industry.
Everybody thinks the banks are all crooks but they never say anything about the people that flat out lie to get a loan.