That struggle to achieve balance creates a disproportionate impact on working women’s ability to maintain their careers, which made itself felt during the pandemic. Citing a report from RBC Economics, Petrera says nearly 100,000 women aged 20 and older exited the workforce from the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in February 2020 up to January 2021, compared to fewer than 10,000 men in the same age category.
While some companies would traditionally refuse to let employees work from home, the pandemic saw more organizations like Edward Jones leverage the technology needed to let associates do their work remotely.
“I think it comes down to giving associates the choice,” Petrera says. “Edward Jones’ inclusive culture prioritizes those choices which shines through not just in its commitment to serving clients, but also to its employees.
“Two principles included in our value proposition to employees are flexibility and autonomy,” she stresses. “I think those are especially important to women, who have priorities or responsibilities outside of the workplace … it gives them the much-needed flexibility to juggle multiple responsibilities and achieve success in all that they do.”
The firm allows most employees to work in the office, be fully remote, or get the best of both worlds with hybrid work. In offering those three options, Petrera says Edward Jones empowers women employees to decide based on what’s best for their calendar.
