BR and SS,
The current OM-A automation policy was a change from the previous "Max appropriate use" policy, specifically to allow manual flight where workload makes it appropriate.
There is still a strong "hangover' culture that the company "Wants" max use of Automation- but if that was the case, they wouldn't have made the change.
Low traffic and reasonable weather (another common hangover seems to be "Use the AP till you can see the runway"- for chrisake, we HAVE Intrument ratings, there is NO problem hand flying in IMC, and indeed it is reccomended to fly at least the last 800' if you are doing a manual landing- even if the weather is at CatI minima), there is nothing to stop you having a pole.
I always do, encourage others to do likewise, and am reflecting the view of the Training Department that we should be hand-flying more.