ClearBridge Investments LLC's emphasis on a work-life balance and cooperation makes the New York-based firm a best place to work, employees and executives agree.
“As a working mother, I truly appreciate the flexibility ClearBridge Investments provides,” one employee commented in Pensions & Investments' Best Places to Work in Money Management survey. “The group of people I work with care about my professional career and the life I have outside of the office.”
Another wrote: “The firm and its managers understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance and that maintaining this balance leads to the most beneficial outcomes for its stakeholders.”
To make a child's sports game, for instance, employees can leave and then finish their work remotely, said Scott Glasser, co-chief investment officer. Investment notes might come in at 8, 9 or 10 o'clock that night, he said.
Several employees coach sports on the side, said William Schmitt, managing director, head of human resources. “There might be a season that this person leaves a little bit earlier or comes in a little bit later,” Mr. Schmitt said. The emphasis on a work-life balance “flows from the top,” he added, saying executives like CEO Terrence Murphy don't “promote a work-life balance and then on the flip side negate that.”
Families across all departments are brought together one weekday each winter for face painting, magic shows and movies.
The event, now in its sixth year, came from a human resources official who grew up going to a holiday party at her father's office.
To keep the staff healthy, ClearBridge's office pantry is stocked with KIND bars, low-calorie popcorn and flavored seltzer water. The firm also offers annual biometric screenings and fitness reimbursements.
The firm also supports use of community supported agriculture programs, by providing staff with information on participating farms and how CSAs work.
Responding to employee feedback, ClearBridge officials this year bumped up the fitness reimbursement to $500 and opened the program to all gyms.
It's important the firm is nimble, said Mr. Murphy, on how to address employees' needs. “Some places make it so difficult to change.”
A shared sense of cooperation also was cited by several employees, with one mentioning the “above-and-beyond willingness by most employees to help the company achieve its goals.”
Another benefit instituted this year was standing desks. Installed over the past few months, the desks are used by a quarter of the staff or 50 people.
