PBN Best Places to Work Awards 2021
Midsize Companies #1. Edward Jones
Employees in R.I. 67
CEO and Managing Partner Penny Pennington
One of the nation’s largest financial services firms with more than 14,500 locations and 7 million clients across the country, Edward Jones is passionate about making its team members feel like a part of the family.
“Edward Jones associates enjoy flexible, family-friendly workplaces and gratifying work helping clients in neighborhoods where they live and work,” said Karen Lemke, a financial adviser in Providence with more than 20 years of industry experience. “Financial advisers and branch office administrator teams who serve clients well earn the firm’s highest honors. Community involvement is encouraged, and associates embrace causes such as the Walk to End Alzheimer’s – a firmwide effort.”
An associate-owned company, Edward Jones offers its team long-term career and leadership opportunities. Success helping clients results in trimester bonuses, annual profit sharing and the opportunity to own a piece of the firm through limited partnership.
“Partnership is a unique reward that few companies offer. Any associate in good standing with three years of service can be offered partnership,” and more than 50% of associates are owners, Lemke said. “Volunteerism is fundamental to our culture, and associates love the opportunity to give back. Home office associates get one paid Day of Caring annually and in our branches, volunteerism during the workday is common and expected.”
Lemke reflects that effort through participation in several local community groups such as the Providence Preservation Society, Women’s Fund of Rhode Island, Rhode Island Independence Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Wayland Square Merchants’ Association.
'Volunteerism is fundamental to our culture, and associates love … to give back. '
KAREN LEMKE, Edward Jones financial adviser in Providence
In addition to free wellness and preventative care, the firm’s generous medical plan covers 100% of costs once deductibles are met. Recent plan updates include benefits for domestic partners and transgender associates, plus coverage for applied behavioral analysis for autism and infertility treatments.
The wellness program offers one-on-one health coaching in which associates can also opt for biometric screenings, mindfulness training, calorie tracking, nutrition and weight-management sessions, and tracking-device syncing to earn medical premium discounts.
Edward Jones has stood firmly behind its associates during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Recognizing the rapidly changing needs of those caring for themselves and families, the firm provided the option to take 10 additional paid days off in connection with the virus. Associates faced with COVID-19-related financial challenges can receive help from the Edward Jones Disaster Relief Fund to which associates have donated nearly $1 million to assist colleagues.
To help ease concerns around health expenses, the Edward Jones medical plan has provided no-cost care for COVID-19-related testing and treatment, in addition to waiving the deductible for the treatment of COVID-19 from both in- and out-of-network providers.
Furthermore, the firm’s employee assistance program has provided support to families struggling to balance child care, at-home learning and work, offering more than 60 resources for working parents, including free online webinars on topics such as helping kids cope with pandemic anxiety, how working parents can structure their day, and how to manage workspace and teaching space.
To keep associates connected to clients and to each other, Edward Jones adopted a digital acceleration strategy that has enabled associates nationwide to access new technology, including Zoom for videoconferencing, and social media resources to allow for connection when face-to-face contact was not possible.
“We take care of each other in tough times, whether it is the pandemic, a cancer diagnosis or a family crisis,” said Michael Paolino, a second-generation financial adviser in South Kingstown. “Leaders are authorized to do the right thing to help associates navigate personal difficulties, whether that means extra time off, special pay arrangements, a loan, a health benefits exception or preventative programs to head off a crisis. I am proud to continue the family tradition of helping individuals and families make sound financial decisions throughout every chapter of their lives.”
