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Would you be willing to work for FREE?

By Marie Ogle

Mortgage and Lending with Mortgage Processing Solutions NMLS #86995/69352 & 5450

February 12, 2009 11:05 AM

Most generally we all want to receive something for free. But how many of us would actually be willing to work for free?

With the economic struggles lately, everyone is feeling the pinch. It seems that there is far more month left at the end of the money. When the staff at a small "ma and pa" style pancake house found out that the owner was struggling they decided to Pay It Forward. This group of dedicated employees chose to relinquish all wages for one day in order to help the owner keep his struggling restaurant afloat. Working only for tips, in a selfless act of kindness, they forfeited their needs for the needs of their employer. For some, I am sure this was no small sacrifice.

This story got me to thinking. I wondered how many other people would do the same for their employer. Better yet, how many employers inspire their employees in such a manner that they would have the desire to give up their valuable time, without anything in return.

I have always been of the mindset that you should give 110% to whatever you do. Come in early, leave late, and give it your all while you are there. Unfortunately, I've run across too many people who are only worried about themselves and are far too happy to just punch in and punch out. I encourage those of you out there who do your job because you have to; just sit back, take a deep breath and think about what you do for others everyday. You never know when you may need someone to Pay It Forward for you.

I believe we can all take a lesson from these employees. With times being so hard on all of us I only hope to continue to hear more inspiring stories like this one.

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Peter Testa

Nationwide Homes - Danbury, CT

PETER TESTA

I understand, a lot of realtors are going through this & if you do real estate full-time & you are behind on your bills it is time to stop doing real estate full time.

Feb 12, 2009 11:13 AM

Rosalinda Morgan

Brookville, NY

"The Rose Lady"

In this tough market, you wonder if working full time as a realtor is a good idea at all. We are not getting paid until the deal closed. Maybe we should start charging our clients for all services rendered on a per hour basis.

Feb 12, 2009 12:03 PM

Marie Ogle

Mortgage Processing Solutions - Spokane, WA

Contract Mortgage Processor

Peter and Rosalinda, yes for those of us who work on a commission basis it does feel like we work for free way to much. That, however, it just part of the job. I spend many hours working on files where the borrower cancels or once we are the majority through the process it is discovered that they don't qualify, etc, etc,... What I am referring to is, would you actually list or sell a home and intentionally not charge your fee. Would you do it only for a referral. That would truly be working for free. In a sense that is what these individuals did and I find it heart warming.

Feb 12, 2009 01:48 PM

Ryan Shaughnessy

PREA Signature Realty - www.preasignaturerealty.com - Saint Louis, MO

Broker/Attorney - Your Lafayette Square Real Estate Partner

Great inspirational story - It is funny how some people are willing to punch in and punch out. Others are selfless and give it 110%. I don't know if I would be willing to handle a listing for free. However, I have provided assistance to homeowners who are facing foreclosure on a pro bono basis.

Feb 12, 2009 01:56 PM

Ryan I think that is great. I have reduced my fee on occasion but have not ever done a file for free. This isn't the norm but given the right circumstance I am willing to what is needed for the best interest of my client. It is probably worth noting that my commission is substantially smaller than that of an agent so I might not be as willing if I stood to loose more.

Feb 12, 2009 02:15 PM

Lisa Long

Heather Roda Broker - Paso Robles, CA

I did not agree with whatPeter said. I know many people who work for wages and have had pay cuts. Many people in this time are behind or barly afloat and I'm talking about people with great jobs who just hit a road block (or a brick wall in this economy). I agree with Marie 110% is is something to strive for and I bet that is why the boss in the story has such loyal employees!

Feb 13, 2009 05:03 AM

Libby Cousins

Extraordinary Processing - Spokane, WA

Contract Mortgage Processor, licensed in WA

There are a few ways to look at that story and I think they have merit. One is that the employees were inspired by their employer and decided to work for free because they wanted to help the owner. Another possibility is that they did it because, if the business failed, they would have to go out and seek a new job (so they did it for the employer AND their best interest).

I do volunteer work on a regular basis and truly enjoy it. I like that my time and abilities can help someone else and it makes me feel good about giving back to the community. As far as doing my regular job for free, I have (like you) reduced my fee occasionally. I do try to go above and beyond with my services and believe in doing the best job possible, not just getting something done.

I wonder if that day of "free work" from the employees ended up helping out or will they need to do it again? How long ago did that happen?

Feb 14, 2009 11:00 AM

Lisa,I agree with you. I think giving it your all is important whether you are the employer or the employee. I have worked for some people that I would be willing to do just about anything for (anything legal that is). I have also worked for some that it was a struggle to put in my time and I wasn't willing to give an ounce more than what was necessary. I believe the people that you work for and with can make all the difference in your job.

Libby, as the customers began to hear what the employees were doing they started tipping more. I think the employees ended up making more in tips than what they would have made in regular wages. So while they did come out of this in a better situation and they may have been thinking about their future while making the decision, I still think it is amazing that they came up with the idea on their own. There employer did not approach and ask them to do it they did it from their own accord. I believe this happened mid January.

Feb 19, 2009 02:13 PM

Would you be willing to work for FREE?

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Marie Ogle

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