Do Required Ethics Classes Affect the Behavior of the Unethical Agent?
Adding to the old adage that the only sure things in life are death and taxes, those of us that are members of RAYAC (Realtors assoc. of York and Adams Counties) can add ethics classes to that statement. Every two years the assoc. requires that each agent attend an ethics class. Of course to a person every realtor in the assoc. likens the classes to a fine tuned form of torture. I am sure that there are those that feel the classes are necessary, however I have yet to hear from any that feel the classes are value added. I personally do not understand the logic. Does the leadership of the assoc. think that unscrupulous agents are going to change their tactics upon completion of the class? Let's be honest, since I was a young man I was well aware when I was doing something wrong, or even "on the edge". To add insult to injury, the classes are the same year after year, with little or no changes or additions to the presentation. While I have no animosity towards the unfortunate instructors, my anger and frustrations lie with the powers that be that continue to require this exercise in futility. Year after year the same agents that you know you have to keep an eye on throughout a transaction operate in exactly the same manner, even after satisfying the ethics class requirements. So what real value is being acquired by the class?
Maybe some tweaking of the requirement is in order. Wouldn't it make more sense to require the class for any agent who is found to have violated the code of ethics that we all are expected to adhere to? Those agents that have consistently shown to be reputable, ethical, and professional agents should no longer be forced to endure the wrath of those classes to pay for the sins of the few unethical agents operating our there.
I look forward to comments from those in the RAYAC assoc. as well as those around country on this subject. Thanks in advance for your comments.
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