AFLAC American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus, Georgia Independent Contractor Status, Hiring Practices and Support Columbus, Georgia

I am reading many concerns about Aflac and the agent in the field that rather than just reponding I choose to begin a new post.  I do believe on a corporate level Aflac is sound, the coverage is solid and they DO pay legitimate claims - most of the claim complaints here are due to a poor agent or simply not reading their coverage guideline.  Actually read one where due to a heart concern - he's upset they are not paying on his accident plan.  Really?  Enough there - now to my concern.

For those seeking "employment with Aflac" in the field you will be labeled an independent contractor and thus not an employee, so no benefits, responsible for your own expenses, taxes and so on.  I am beginning to question this status and that associate you are told how to run your business, where you should call on and who you can not by their do not contact list.  Any accounts you do manage to open are stated as Aflac's not yours.  You receive comissions only but basically no rights.  The contracts can be vague and I have learned if it suits their purpose - a joke.

Training will depend on how lucky you are with the district and regional teams door you walk in to. They will recruit (give the opportunity to) any one who can pass the license exams.  You will be promised the moon and given nothing.  If you make it - great, as those above you make their income this way.  If you fail - any crumb you brought in becomes their assett.   It is cut throat at the best of times and down right unethical most.  I have been lied to more than I can count and no one will do anything - because it normally doesn't effect the mgmt. team for an associate to be screwed over for lack of a better term.  I am working on year 6 and this last has been the worst.  It's tough out there in any sales and worse yet because of the idiots ruining the reputation of the company and those of us who really care about their clients.  I have complaints all the way up to ethics within the company and 10 months later Nothing has been done.  I've had comissions promised and then pulled - bold face lies and worked my bum off, tried to always keep my word only to have a knife in my back. 

I am soon expecting law suites from the "contractor" status as you are controlled.  I am expecting legal problems with these Regions that lie from day one and appear to represent Aflac on a corp. level when they themselves are contractors.  It's a mixed emotion - I have seen many claims make a substancial difference - so it works.  I am old school in caring about those I serve and believe in integrity for those I work with - but all that has gotten me is a lot of work and no dreams.  I am tempted to contact legal representation about this contractor status, breeches and representation from those who appear in authority/representatives but suspect no one out there has the guts to take on a fortune 200 company.  I believe the upper mgmt. at world wide in Ga. really did start out with the best of intentions - I have met some of them.  But their dream has become a nightmare for many.  If you are considering the "job."  Just remember to learn all you can, be prepared to be run over by the number of no nothings, no training agents you will be competing with, companies that are tired of being call on by those incompetents to the point that they won't even listen although it is a great product and opportunity for the employees/employers. Then there are the brokers and we don't even want to go there.  Aflac gives them way too much power so they can run over the field force with permission.  Most of all - I have learned to believe and trust no one.  If you are good at the lone wolf and have contacts to make a living on commission only sales, your not selling snake oil.  Just don't expect much truth and even less support when there are problems.  It took me almost 6 years for the "big" problems to arise - but they will.