Longhornsfan
New Member
- 4
Hello all, first time poster long time lurker...I'm hoping someone can tell me if I truly should be considered an Independent agent or if I'm getting a raw deal.
I've been an agent employee with a captive company for several years (I've never sold insurance elsewhere) and last year we were forced to go "independent". We were convinced how much better it is, we now own our own business blahblahblah... however the only thing that has changed is my paycheck and health ins. Here's the deal:
1. I don't get a group health plan anylonger.
2. I have to pay my production assistant's ENTIRE salary but she is employed by the company, not me. Therefore the company takes her hourly wage, benefits, pto, workers comp, taxes etc...out of my commisisons monthly but I cannot tell her what to do, hire, or fire her. If she gets a raise I pay for it, but have no say in the matter. I also don't sign off on her time cards and she misses work frequently and doesn't report it. My HR rep told me I legally can not look at what her timecard reports and its none of my business.
3. I pay for the Entire rent & utilites, again its deducted out of my paycheck.
4. I pay the company $125/mo to use their equipment and supplies (phones, fax, toners).
5. I pay for my phones but they deduct the exact amount out of my checks.
6. I am told what to wear and what time is acceptable to come in. I've been told if I'm out of the office I HAVE to be on an appointment and they verify this with the production assistant.
7. I can't work for anyone else that is not ok'd with the company. I am a captive agent selling their products. In fact I'm not even allowed a part-time job if I wanted it. Its not written, but another agent was fired when the company found out they worked at a retail store on the weekends.
8. My clients and policyholders transfer agents for any reason and I have no choice. Other agents can also steal business and solicity my clients with no reprucussions.
9. I get nothing if I'm terminated or quit from my client book.
10. I'm required to attend meetings and training I don't want/need every week.
So basically everything is in the company name, they tell me exactly how to run it but I'm paying for everything. I was forced to sign their contract or lose my job and it has a no compete clause. Isn't it illegal or something to force your employees to go independent and then treat them like employees still? Please someone tell me if this is the norm, or am I suffering from the grass is greener syndrome?
I've been an agent employee with a captive company for several years (I've never sold insurance elsewhere) and last year we were forced to go "independent". We were convinced how much better it is, we now own our own business blahblahblah... however the only thing that has changed is my paycheck and health ins. Here's the deal:
1. I don't get a group health plan anylonger.
2. I have to pay my production assistant's ENTIRE salary but she is employed by the company, not me. Therefore the company takes her hourly wage, benefits, pto, workers comp, taxes etc...out of my commisisons monthly but I cannot tell her what to do, hire, or fire her. If she gets a raise I pay for it, but have no say in the matter. I also don't sign off on her time cards and she misses work frequently and doesn't report it. My HR rep told me I legally can not look at what her timecard reports and its none of my business.
3. I pay for the Entire rent & utilites, again its deducted out of my paycheck.
4. I pay the company $125/mo to use their equipment and supplies (phones, fax, toners).
5. I pay for my phones but they deduct the exact amount out of my checks.
6. I am told what to wear and what time is acceptable to come in. I've been told if I'm out of the office I HAVE to be on an appointment and they verify this with the production assistant.
7. I can't work for anyone else that is not ok'd with the company. I am a captive agent selling their products. In fact I'm not even allowed a part-time job if I wanted it. Its not written, but another agent was fired when the company found out they worked at a retail store on the weekends.
8. My clients and policyholders transfer agents for any reason and I have no choice. Other agents can also steal business and solicity my clients with no reprucussions.
9. I get nothing if I'm terminated or quit from my client book.
10. I'm required to attend meetings and training I don't want/need every week.
So basically everything is in the company name, they tell me exactly how to run it but I'm paying for everything. I was forced to sign their contract or lose my job and it has a no compete clause. Isn't it illegal or something to force your employees to go independent and then treat them like employees still? Please someone tell me if this is the norm, or am I suffering from the grass is greener syndrome?
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