factions, ethics, bullies, and workplace violence SUBMITTED BY BETSY BARBIEUX, CAM, CFCAM, FLORIDA CAM SCHOOLS
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his condominium board of directors is always split 3 to 2 on all issues. They have letters going out to all owners from one faction or the other criticizing the other “side” for its action or inaction. It seems there is one “rules possessed” man who wants to go back in time and correct everything the board has ever done that he thinks was wrong. A manager is also the rental agent for a condominium association that is made up mostly of investment rentals. He seems to have been given the authority to approve or disapprove all private owners’ rental agreements. He appears to be arbitrary about the approval and makes private owners “guess” as to the proper form of the rental agreement provisions he will approve. A board member charges into the manager’s office, towers over her desk not giving her a chance to stand up, jabs his finger in her face, and yells obscenities at her. He is red faced and getting angrier by the second. Does she dare reach for the telephone to call 911? A president decided she wanted to change the name of the community so she created another corporation on SunBiz.org. Next she obtained a new Federal tax identification number, opened a bank account, and moved the funds of the homeowners’ association to the new bank account. She announced her actions to the other board members and owners. With this collection of factions, ethics, bullies, and a hostile work environment stories, it’s just another day! 12
CE N TRAL F L O R I D A T I M ES | 3 R D Q UARTER 2 0 1 6
FACTIONS Faction is described as a group of persons forming a cohesive, usually contentious minority within a larger group. It would probably be safe to say every community association has at least one faction. Factions challenge elections; factions recall board members; factions disrupt meetings; factions spread gossip and ill will; factions use the Internet. When will people learn it is more advantageous to be part of the solution than part of the problem?
ETHICS One association actually has an Ethics section in its employee handbook. It states in part “the highest standards of ethical business conduct and compliance are required of all our employees in performance of their jobs and responsibilities. Employees must not engage in conduct or activity that may raise questions as to the honesty, impartiality, or reputation or otherwise cause embarrassment to the Association. “ The manual gives examples of crossing the ethical line. If you say these things to yourself: “Well, maybe just this once...” “No one will ever know...” “It doesn’t matter how it gets done as long as it gets done.” “It sounds too good to be true.” “Everyone does it.” “Shred that document.” “We can hide it.” “No one will get hurt.”
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