Morgan Stanley Puts Ethics to the Test

If a group of female employees, in order to entertain clients with the aim to increase business activity, were to visit a Chippendale's show with a male colleague as part of the party, I wonder how comfortable he would feel. On a professional note, it is highly unlikely that any female client would feel that this is an appropriate form of client entertainment, and it is also highly unlikely that any female executive would have considered it appropriate to arrange such an event in the first place to generate business.

Why therefore is it felt acceptable that strip joints and lap dancers are an ethical means of encouraging more business?

If people wish to attend such events or visit such places on a purely personal basis, they should be free to do so, but as soon as they tie it into business, even informally, then it raises significant questions on corporate probity and compliance, if for no other reason that it is a means to exclude female colleagues. There will undoubtedly be cases where female colleagues have been part of such group visits, but you will be hard pushed to find any that are there for pleasure - a high level of compulsion is created and not insignificant levels of coercion to join in - "not a team player" is a likely retort if you say no. I talk from experience, having gone to a bar with a number of other bankers, only to find that it was a lap dancing bar. Luckily, my male colleague was even more embarrassed than I was, that I should find myself in such a situation, whilst some bankers seemed to see nothing in which to take offence and others were visibly embarrassed that I should see them there in the first place.

I wonder where people's sexual confidence lies, with the need to visit such locations?

As long as no criminal offence had taken place or was likely to take place, such action by Morgan Stanley is a violation of human rights. I believe that the individuals concerned could sue for the full amount of monies owed, monies that would be expected if they continued in their employment (on the basis that they would not be re-employed by the company, or if so, at a level that would not affect their long-term status quo prior to the firing) or compensation for the minimal likelihood that they would gain similar employment elsewhere and any distress suffered by the bank's action.

Today I went for an interview with Morgan Stanley followed by a strip club to celebrate. As it was my free time and the decision over whether I get the job is unclear, is this ok? ;) I do hope so...

Should strip joints be off-limits both in and out of working hours? Did Morgan Stanley do the right thing? Once again, Corporate America goes too far! This must be a complete and utter invasion of privacy and one's own free time. Or do Morgan Stanley now consider "free time" as their time? What happened to work/life balance? America is often referred to as the land of the free, unless you work for Morgan Stanley - or even worse, in the Financial Services industry! The paths around Wall Street should be resurfaced with egg shells, God forbid anyone should break them! (oops, can I say God forbid now? - damn another broken egg shell for me!). This is almost too ridiculous to comment on but, unfortunately, I know MS is just the first of many banks that will follow suit. I'd love to know how they think they will roll this out globally! It will never work in Asia, or don't Morgan Stanley want to compete in the global arena? As a Brit who has spent many years in New York I can't see how it is workable there either, let alone anywhere else! Unless MS are planning on drastic downsizing of corporate executives! I hope Morgan Stanley get canned for this. If I was the lawyer representing these guys who got fired I would ask for all of the senior executives of MS to undergo polygraph tests and Morgan Stanley to undertake to fire any executive who tests positive. Now that really would be a test of Business Ethics!

This is just another sign of the way in which the large US companies intend to create human machines to do their bidding. The companies are often greedy, heartless and immoral although this particular company might not be any of these - yet perfectly legal actions by their employees in their own time are punished. Unless employees and clients make a stand against this now it will get worse - much much worse. Wrong faith? Wrong sexual position? Wrong vote at the last election? You're out! We have been warned!