| Author |
Message |
Concerned Adjuster
| | Posted on Saturday, August 14, 1999 - 9:41 am: | |
Pen names should be used by all who wish to discuss sensitive subjects in an open public general discussion forum such as this forum. Due to the nature of our profession we, as adjusters, are not suppose to discuss our experiences, troubles & tribulations we experience during our day to day activities. To do so violates an implied fiduciary relationship we have with adjusting firms &/or insurance carriers with which we are under contract. Violation of this implied fiduciary relation could breach your contract & will often lead to dismissal &/or other possible consequences.
So how do we express our pent up frustrations or the problems we are experiencing without fear? In an open general discussion forum such as this, one solution is anonymity. With anonymity we are able to unlock the fear of an open general discussion. This will allow the interaction between us that will better inform us, release pent up frustrations & help to dispel false or rumored information. We need a place to vent without fear of reprisal. Becoming better informed will enhance your abilities to make better decisions. By releasing our frustrations & correcting false or rumored information we will all benefit. Then when you do go on an assignment your improved frame of mind & increased knowledge should prove to be very beneficial to you.
When you decide to participate in this open general discussion forum take heed of this warning "should you elect to participate in this type of open general discussion forum you must remember that it is a very open & public forum". To that end anonymity is extremely important if you are to protect yourself from any possible reprisals. In an open general discussion forum such as this you may never know from where or from whom damage to your lively hood or reputation may originate due to an opinion you expressed. May I suggest that instead of using real names we all adopt a Pen Name. After all isn't the shared information in our open discussions more important to all of us than the vanity of said individuals who insist otherwise?
Looking forward to reading your opinion on this matter.
Signed: Concerned Adjuster |
Russ Lott
| | Posted on Saturday, August 14, 1999 - 10:12 am: | |
The principal of free speech was what this country was built on. Can you imagine the implications of our forefathers signing the Declaration of Independence as "Anonymous". If we are so afraid of being identified in a public forum I guess the next storm we go too we should all show up wearing paper bags over our heads. Fear of reprisal from nonslanderous free speech will erode the very foundation of our society. There are remedies in our country for such discrimination. With freedom and we are truly the "Independent" comes responsiblitlty for what we do and say. As long as everybody knows who is speaking, we as the audience can make intelligent
conclusions to the issues being disussed. |
TomJefferson
| | Posted on Saturday, August 14, 1999 - 7:11 pm: | |
If, as "Concerned Adjuster" says, a public discusssion (with real names used) violates either/or "an implied fiduciary relationship" or constitutes "a breach of contract", then that same discussion under the "pretense of assumed anonymity" would still constitute the same violation of a legal responsibility.
What Mr."Concerned Adjuster" wants to do, thus, is to break not only the letter of any agreement he may have but the spirit as well.
Mr. "Concerned Adjuster" seems to feel that actions taken under the cover of "darkness" are somehow different from actions taken under the light of day, which he agreess are either/or a violation of a fiduciary relationship or a breach of contract.
Before Mr. "Concerned Adjuster" attacks the "vanity of others" he should explore and focus on personal responsibility, ethics, and personal integrity. By his own written hand and words, on these he is found sorely lacking.
Mr. "Concerned Adjuster" fails to make the case for anonymity which he set out so frivlously to do. |
concerned2
| | Posted on Sunday, August 15, 1999 - 12:41 pm: | |
Concerned Adjuster appears to be someone who actually has some experience in this business. The rest of you Pollyannas are talking through you hats. Anyone who has actually been around this business (that is the Catastrophe claims business - not working as a staff adjuster for some company) for the 20+ years you all claim to be, would know that this is a mean-spirited business full of a lot of gossipy back-biting people who would do or say anything to make you look bad if they thought it would make them look good. Many of the things that happen in this business are the results of luck, being in the right place at the right time, having some good connections and not your performance or certifications or how many letters you put after your name. Frankly, that's the way it should be. Every other adjuster is competition for the same assignment you want. This is capitalism folks. Anyone with any real experience, knows the reasons anonimity. We are not going to sit around the campfire signing Cumbaya and helping used car salemen and housewives invade our livelihood like many of you so-called experts seem to suggest. |
concerned also
| | Posted on Sunday, August 15, 1999 - 3:17 pm: | |
Amen! Amen! Concerned2- Now here is an individual who I would say is not only a good adjuster but also has the ability to understand human nature. "The Truth Shall Make You free" |
Chuck Hoffman
| | Posted on Monday, August 16, 1999 - 10:55 am: | |
To concerned 2 and also:
Would we not be better served to empower new adjusters with the same level of professionalism and self worth we should have? In this matter the new adjuster will then be less likely to accept substandard fee schedules and we can begin to bring more realistic schedules back into vogue. I welcome your thoughts. |
Gale Hawkins
| | Posted on Monday, August 16, 1999 - 11:43 am: | |
Right on Russ. People that are willing to risk their necks and do what is illegal if it is the "right thing" to do can have an impact on the future. For sure we would be driving on the other side of the road if they just sent an unsigned note to the king saying someone said someone was unhappy with the current state of affairs. |
Concerned2
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 17, 1999 - 12:38 am: | |
The various posts on other areas of this board are proof that the point Concerned Adjuster made (which was echoed by myself and Concerned Also) regarding the importance of anonymity is valid.
I have been on every major storm and catastrophe project since '79 and I have some idea of what I am talking about. It is common practice in this business for a cat company to "punish" adjusters, by telling them there are no assignments available, not that there is anything wrong or to confront the problem, just that there is "nothing going on right now". The duration of the punishment is commensurate with the perceived seriousness of the infraction. This can arise from something as serious as a confrontation with a supervisor or as miniscule as a comment while socializing that someone either disagrees with or takes offense at.
This is why you must be careful what you say, really careful what you write, and watch whom you drink with. I do not generally post at all to this site and will not do so again, but I felt I needed to validate Concerned Adjuster's point. He has also made some other good points regarding other aspects of this business that some of you would do well to read again.
Regarding new adjusters, if you wish to empower your replacements, have at it. I'll refrain from doing so for my part as I need to continue to be able to earn a living in this business. Good luck to all of you, but be careful. |
Disgusted Adjuster
| | Posted on Thursday, August 19, 1999 - 8:52 am: | |
Mr. Jefferson I have read the post by Concerned Adjuster several times. I have to tell you that my reading does not lead me to the same conclusions you reached, regarding a so-called attack on the "vanity of others". It seems to me that your own post had some good points, but then you viciously attack Concerned Adjuster suggesting that he/she is sorely lacking in personal responsibility, ethics, and personal integrity. You even went so far as to suggest that his post was without merit.
It is ironic that your post followed that of Russ Lott who commented upon the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Could it be that you chose the pen name of Tom Jefferson, a Founding Father, to conceal your true identity and, then, viciously attacked Concerned Adjuster. Many of those posting to the CADO put a clockwise spin on an issue to promote controversy and, then, jump in later to put a counter-clockwise spin on the same issue. Depending upon the desired outcome the author will use a real name/or anonoymous or anonoymous/real name on the clockwise spin and reverse it on the counter-clockwise spin. If your real spin name is Tom Jefferson I ask you to accept in advance my apology. |
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