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Morgan Stanley
Workforce The challenge Response balanceworks initiatives include the following:
All UK permanent employees are eligible to apply for the above subject to availability in their location. All of the above practices are communicated to employees through brochures, flyers and the Morgan Stanley intranet.Business benefits 'Work-life Balance' describes the desire of all employees to achieve and maintain a 'balance' between their paid work and their life outside work, whatever their 'life' involves, from childcare and housework, to leisure or self-development. Since the development of both Morgan Stanley’s work-life and diversity policies, the following business benefits have been realised:
The future In practice Jeremy ‘Since September 2002 I have been starting work by 7am and leave at around 4pm. My main reason for taking part in a flexible working arrangement is to spend more time with my family. My flexible working arrangement works such that my hours are realigned. My diary is blocked out in advance from 3.30 so meetings are not scheduled. Regular meetings are scheduled around this. Flexibility is key; therefore, if on odd occasions something happens that requires me to stay the option is there. This has probably occurred 20 times during the first year and generally has not prevented me leaving by 5pm. I think the major challenge is ensuring that people understand and respect the decision you make. It is important to engage those you work closely with so they understand what your availability is and you need to ensure that ultimately you fulfill your responsibilities. Over the course of the year, colleagues, staff and managers have shown a readiness to accept different working patterns and be flexible in their approach to my work mirrored by my flexible approach to them. Operating an FWA is not an easy option; it requires commitment from both sides to make it work effectively. One of the hardest things is to change your own working pattern and stick to it without appearing to be rigid in application. It is not easy to get up from your desk and walk out at 4pm; my advice would be not to try to hide. It is tempting to try to leave unnoticed, as there is a natural feeling of being seen to be different. My experience has been it is better to explain your scheme and be upfront about what you are doing.’ Tim r ‘I joined the Territorial Army (TA) just after I left University in 1997 and have continued with it during my career at Morgan Stanley. It has added to my confidence, gives me a great outlet after being stuck behind a desk all week, and adds another dimension to being a team player. It is far more than just a hobby, and people joining the TA have to take into account that they are subject to compulsory military call up once they have completed their basic training. Most of my TA activity takes place in my own time at weekends. I usually work about 2 weekends a month, although I often do more as my position in the military requires a higher commitment (I am an officer). I am required to attend one evening a week, and very occasionally a weekday (perhaps twice a year). For these occasional days, I book them as normal vacation days, as anyone else would for a special occasion, etc. I am also required to attend a 2-week annual deployment or exercise and this is booked as normal vacation. Morgan Stanley gives me an extra 5 days Military Leave on top of my annual vacation entitlement, which is great as it takes care of half of my annual deployment. Apart from the fact that I very occasionally need to leave early, it really does not adversely affect my department. In fact, the department really benefits as I have received lots of leadership training and attended many courses through my involvement with the TA. As an officer I often have to address large numbers of people and brief high ranking officers and dignitaries. You pick up social skills too, as at some events you are expected to host guests and look after them. The biggest challenge I face is leaving work at a decent time on the week day evenings that I am needed for TA activities. PWM is not always the easiest of environments to 'escape from' and sometimes it really is a struggle to get away. Fortunately, my military unit understands the fact that I have a demanding job. There have been times when it really has seemed too large a commitment, and I have considered giving either one or both up. However, I am not a quitter by nature, and I am very glad that I have stuck with it as the TA gives me an outlet and an alternative environment in which to pursue my interests. Work and the TA complement each other well in terms of skills, even if they do not always fit together so well in terms of time. I would recommend it to anyone.’ May 2004 |
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© Work-Life balance part of The Work Foundation 2005
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