Is it ethical?

Good morning, Marion..... that's a good rule for anything we need to decide personally and professionally....

Good to see you back "in the Rain" Marian.  That being said, I like your way of thinking. 

You're very perceptive.  The very question presents a delima for the broker about whom they are asking the question.

Nice to see you, Marian. My antennae would perk up, too, with that question.

Marian~ I often find that solving ethical questions isn't too complicated, you just need to determine, what's right!

In my time as an office manager I had to deal with several of those conversations. I have also been an ethics instructor for many years. I have certainly had some interesting conversations in my classes. It's interesting you cite the golden rule. In my ethics presentation I have a slide that states "The Golden Rule is Not Enough". I tell my students I'm sure there are times you wish someone would fudge the rules for you but that's not an option for a licensee. I tell them we are bound by three things. The letter of the law, the letter of the document (contract and addenda) and the code of ethics. I'm sure some will say you wouldn't want anyone to bend the rules for you but tell me honestly it never happened and that you didn't appreciate. The problem with bending the rules is that reinforced behaviors will be repeated. Or as one attorney friend of mine is fond of saying. Nothing is a problem until it's a problem.