Loh Chee Kong
cheekong@mediacorp.com.sg
AS OBSERVERS reacted with surprise to DBS Bank’s declaration that it did not support employee Josie Lau’s appointment as president of a local women’s advocacy group, the bank yesterday further revealed that it was “reviewing the matter internally” — after she had “knowingly disregarded” its staff code of conduct twice.
cheekong@mediacorp.com.sg
Said a bank spokesperson: “Such attitude is not one that DBS, or any other organisation, can condone in a leader.”
Ms Lau, who is the bank’s vice-president of consumer banking group cards and unsecured loans, was on Wednesday night named the new Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) chief. Shortly after, DBS issued a statement implying that Ms Lau had gone against its wishes in taking up the post.
Shedding more light on this yesterday, DBS revealed that Ms Lau had informed the bank on April 13 that she had been appointed to the Aware executive committee — more than two weeks after the deed was done on March 28.
“She had not sought prior approval for this appointment and thereby breached the staff code of conduct. Nevertheless, DBS made a concession and agreed to support her involvement as exco member,” said the bank spokesperson.
Then, early this week, she told the bank she was aiming for the top post. The bank reviewed this request and informed her that while it continued to support her involvement in Aware, “we could not support her intent to run for president, given the demands associated with the top post of a leading advocacy group in Singapore”.
“Banks worldwide are facing very challenging times and her role as VP in the credit card space today is even more challenging, given the environment we are in,” added the spokesperson. “We are disappointed that Josie knowingly disregarded DBS’ staff code of conduct twice.”
Ms Lau declined to comment, with an Aware spokesperson saying she would speak to the media once things settled down.
The bank’s public rebuke has puzzled some. It was one thing for firms to express concern in private over employees’ involvement in external activities, and quite another to do so publicly, particularly for a senior staff, they felt.
“At the very senior management level, there should be adequate communication about such involvements ... In this case, there may be some other issues of which we may be unaware,” said Singapore Human Resource Institute executive director David Ang.
“For DBS to issue such a statement, (the situation) must be of some gravity,”
TODAY understands that under the Banking Act, all bank employees must declare their involvement with external organisations, such as NGOs, to avoid a potential clash of interest.
Banks contacted confirmed the industry practice. Said OCBC spokesperson Koh Ching Ching: “Financial institutions also need to know of potential conflicts for any possible supplier-buyer situations, even for accounts held by non-profit organisations or charities with us.”
The bank respects staff’s “own assessment of their own abilities to balance work, family and community service activities”; still, they are encouraged to discuss their external commitments “if they need advice”.
SUBHD:Within the NGO sector, Ms Lau – who joined DBS in 2004 after 15 years of developing and marketing events with the Singapore Tourism Board – is not alone in incurring employers’ dissatisfaction. One NGO veteran who declined to be named told TODAY, his employers have from time to time “pressured” him to give up his commitments.
Dr Geh Min, who stepped down last year as Nature Society president, said it ultimately boils down to the trust between employer and staff. “It’s right for a company to expect commitment and loyalty ... it’s up to the employee to convince the company he can juggle (the demands),” said the ophthalmologist who runs her own clinic.
Mr Ang said that even among companies with a policy against staff holding external appointments, most are flexible on the matter.
Citing his own experience as president of the Singapore Manufacturers’ Federation, Singapore Cable Manufacturer chairman Renny Yeo feels such involvement would further hone a person’s leadership and organisational skills, which would in turn benefit the company. But the bottomline, said Mr Yeo, is whether the company feels the staff is up to the balancing act.
The mantra at DBS, it seems, is no different.
Stressing that the bank “takes pride in” the many DBS employees who are involved in community, charity or volunteer groups in their personal capacity, the spokesperson reiterated that these staff “had sought and obtained prior approval to do so”. Approval is granted on a case-by-case basis, “depending on the demands of the proposed external appointment and the job responsiblities the individual holds in the bank”.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment