First, let me start by saying I'm a new agent, so I am unaware if this is common in most offices or not, but I've already seen more than I would like in the office I work at. Mind you, I've only been at this office two weeks, but I'm seeing quite a bit of slander, and sabotage between agents in the office I'm at. It seems as thought there's a popularity contest going on with winners getting referrals, and losers having their name's erased from our floor time white board, files, and mail for certain agents not making it their desks, and prospects being stolen from certain agents who are not popular enough. None of this is happening to me, at least not yet (as I said, a new agent, I don't have any 'work' yet).

I feel as though this is all very childish. This isn't High School, and I didn't like all this popularity nonsense, and drama when I was in high school. I don't go to the office to base my decisions, and actions on whether or not I like my coworkers on a personal level or not. I'm already considering leaving this office do in part to this; I don't want my work effected by a bunch of people who can't seem to grow up. Has anyone else experienced this? Is it really like this at most brokerages?

Welcome to the world of real estate.

This is a problem at most brokerages because their business model involves sponsoring as many agents as they can get through the door and then let them fight over a small territory like a pack of ravenous dogs.

My advise, try and find a broker who believes in quality over quantity. If you are lucky you might even find a brokerage that seperates agents into territories for lead generation like ours does.

Good luck.

Ethics!
Find a office that is Ethical -

Well our office is pretty close, our Broker is on the MLS board and he is on us about all issues that even come close to being unethical, that is one of the reasons I like being here. Plus he backs up al of his agents. He even warned me about being on this board. We all follow the rules even if the agents from other offices do not. :rolleyes:

What was his warning about being on this board?

Well he said be careful about discussing commissions and bad mouthing other agents. He may have said other things, but that is what stuck in my head.

I wouldn't say welcome to the world of real estate. I would say find a better office. How can anyone do a good job and feel fulfilled in their life if the place where they do business is full of animosity?
--A

I'd find a better office. Offices can be competitive, but that's not a very good environment to work in. It seems like you're going to get backstabbed and fed up at some point, then leave anyway. Get out now before you sink money into buying business cards and materials with that office address on them.

There's always the opportunity to try and communicate with people, albeit for most of us that is the hardest thing to do, but perhaps someone would be willing to lend an ear. You can express your concern with whoever hired you and maybe even get that person to lay down some basic rules, and if someone breaks a rule(like messing with the mail) he or she gets in trouble, fined, fired, etc. If they don't want to listen, then go ahead and leave, then you can tell your next employer how honest and good you are and how you tried to help but nobody would listen, so you left. Good luck.

I'd avoid places like that. I've learned by experience that you should avoid any place with questionable practices because in some way they always come back to bite the company in the end. Employees become disgruntled or develop less loyalty to a company. Word gets out, etc. Worse scenario (but all to often) is companies that are run in questionable ways often have even worse ethical problems when you dig really deep.

Nice. Yes, let's enable this garbage instead of trying to put a stop to it. Great idea.

I didn't say I condoned this behavior, but if you are going to be in this business or any other competitive business, it does happen. You have to be a little tough in some ways to survive in any business. I try to stay involved in the board, committees, etc to try to change things if possible and would urge others to do the same. I have seen my share of dishonest agents/brokers out there,and have had the satisfaction of seeing them removed from their license. But the good ones definitely outweigh the bad. When there's money involved, there's always going to be some greed along with it; that's human nature and just part of life. If you find a career out there where everything is just peachy and everybody is wonderful and there is no stress or trouble, LET ME KNOW :p