What can my broker require of me...

[jordyheath]

What is the name of your state? Texas

I am a new real estate agent and am wondering what my broker can require of me under an independent contractor situation. More specifically, can my broker schedule mandatory shifts for a certain number of hours per day that I have to be in the office? What laws govern how much control he has over me? How much can he control when and how I do my work as an agent?

Thanks

[PghREA]

Originally Posted by jordyheath

What is the name of your state? Texas

I am a new real estate agent and am wondering what my broker can require of me under an independent contractor situation. More specifically, can my broker schedule mandatory shifts for a certain number of hours per day that I have to be in the office? What laws govern how much control he has over me? How much can he control when and how I do my work as an agent?

Thanks

The things that your broker requires of you should have been explained to you in the interview before you were hired. Why did you chose this broker over others that you met with?

As a new agent you will need to be trained, so it is reasonable that you should be in the office when your broker requests it. Many offices do require that their agents take floor time - (schedule mandatory shifts for a certain number of hours) - this is a good thing because you have an opportunity to pick up business. As a new agent your broker should be keeping an eye on you to make sure you're not doing anything, saying anything, or writing anything that could possibly get the brokerage or you in a lawsuit. So, until you have proved that you can handle the job correctly, expect some control.

[jordyheath]

I am an apartment locator and have been for the last 5 months. When I was first hired I was told I could work my own hours. This only lasted a couple of months. I was the company's first "employee" other than the owners. I came on in the initial startup of the company. Then, after two months, we had 8 agents and the owner/broker decided he wanted to schedule each of us for an hour or two of floor time per day. This was fine, but it got progressivly worse. The office is very slow, but he insisted that we have someone, besides the receptionist and one of the Owners there at all times. Once again this is fine, however then he decided he wanted two agents in the office at all times, which put us in the office much more. Now we are down to 5 agents (the rest are gone for the summer or have quit) and he announced today that he wants 3 agents on the floor at all times. In addition, he has us sitting at different locations throughout the city, just handing out business cards and flyers. It is getting ridiculous because the business hasn't picked up at all and we are sitting in the office, not making any money. He is never in the office to know that. I know...cry me a river...but I go to school full time so this is starting to hit pretty hard. So my question is...Is there a point where the brokers' control is considered excessive.

Thanks again.

[jordyheath]

I am an apartment locator and have been for the last 5 months. When I was first hired I was told I could work my own hours. This only lasted a couple of months. I was the company's first "employee" other than the owners. I came on in the initial startup of the company. Then, after two months, we had 8 agents and the owner/broker decided he wanted to schedule each of us for an hour or two of floor time per day. This was fine, but it got progressivly worse. The office is very slow, but he insisted that we have someone, besides the receptionist and one of the Owners there at all times. Once again this is fine, however then he decided he wanted two agents in the office at all times, which put us in the office much more. Now we are down to 5 agents (the rest are gone for the summer or have quit) and he announced today that he wants 3 agents on the floor at all times. In addition, he has us sitting at different locations throughout the city, just handing out business cards and flyers. It is getting ridiculous because the business hasn't picked up at all and we are sitting in the office, not making any money. He is never in the office to know that. I know...cry me a river...but I go to school full time so this is starting to hit pretty hard. So my question is...Is there a point where the brokers' control is considered excessive.

Thanks again

[PghREA]

Originally Posted by jordyheath

I am an apartment locator and have been for the last 5 months. When I was first hired I was told I could work my own hours. This only lasted a couple of months. I was the company's first "employee" other than the owners.

A: This may have been your first mistake.

I came on in the initial startup of the company. Then, after two months, we had 8 agents and the owner/broker decided he wanted to schedule each of us for an hour or two of floor time per day.
This was fine, but it got progressivly worse. The office is very slow, but he insisted that we have someone, besides the receptionist and one of the Owners there at all times.

A: A good move. A licensed agent should be available.


Once again this is fine, however then he decided he wanted two agents in the office at all times, which put us in the office much more. Now we are down to 5 agents (the rest are gone for the summer or have quit) and he announced today that he wants 3 agents on the floor at all times. In addition, he has us sitting at different locations throughout the city, just handing out business cards and flyers.

A: 3 agents on the floor for no business?


It is getting ridiculous because the business hasn't picked up at all and we are sitting in the office, not making any money. He is never in the office to know that. I know...cry me a river...but I go to school full time so this is starting to hit pretty hard. So my question is...Is there a point where the brokers' control is considered excessive.

A: And where are the owners?

Thanks again

Since this is a start up company, the owners should be out there trying to secure business. Brokers, when they hire agents, do expect the agents to be out there bringing in business. You need an inventory in order to sell.
Just sitting in the office waiting for the phone to ring is not going to work. Handing out business cards and flyers may bring some business, probably less than 1 percent. The office needs to get listings - call on FSBO's (fastest sorce of business), follow up on expireds, and keep your ears open as you travel through life. (I once picked up a listing from eaves dropping on a conversation in a grocery line.).

IMO - as a new agent, this isn't the company for you.

[HomeGuru]

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