Edward Jones Named One of Canada's Best Employers

Financial services firm ranks in top 10 for 8th year in a row

TORONTO , Dec. 30 /CNW/ - Financial services firm Edward Jones was named to the No. 10 spot on the "50 Best Employers in Canada " list by The Globe and Mail's Report On Business magazine and La Presse. This is the firm's eighth consecutive appearance on the list, placing in the top 10 each year.

"Once again we take great pride in being acknowledged by our associates as one of the best employers in Canada ," says Gary Reamey, principal, Edward Jones Canada . "We continue to increase employee engagement by centering our efforts on just one important task -serving long-term, conservative investors. With a proven approach to helping clients reach their financial goals we look forward to continued success in the years to come."

Focusing on employee engagement helped 2010's 50 Best Employers in Canada weather the recession, according to Hewitt Associates' research.

"The 50 organizations that appear on the 2010 list of the Best Employers in Canada faced the same challenges confronting virtually all employers, yet managed to maintain high employee productivity and commitment to organizational success," says Neil Crawford , national leader of the Hewitt study. "Now that the economy is starting to recover and the demand for talent is heating up again, these employers will be able to retain key people, thanks to their focus on sustaining and improving high employee engagement."

The ranking appears in the January issue of Report on Business magazine and will be circulated across Canada in the December 30 edition of The Globe and Mail and the January 5 edition of La Presse.

This year's Best Employers Study was conducted by Report on Business magazine and Hewitt Associates, a leading global human resources outsourcing and consulting firm. Detailed questionnaires are distributed to employees, a comprehensive human resources practices survey is completed by HR personnel, and a leadership team survey is completed by top executives. Hewitt also examines how closely employees' and leaders' goals are aligned, and whether workplace practices and programs reinforce that corporate vision.

"The Edward Jones ranking has great value as it reflects the opinions of our dedicated financial advisors, branch office administrators and home-office associates," Reamey says. "We are committed to offering exceptional service to ensure our clients are equipped with the confidence and support they need to make sound financial decisions."

About Edward Jones

Edward Jones is a full-service investment dealer with one of the largest branch networks in Canada . It is a member of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada and the Canadian Investor Protection Fund, and a participating organization of the Toronto Stock Exchange. Including its affiliate, Edward Jones serves nearly 7 million individual investors in Canada , and the United States from more than 11,000 locations.

Edward Jones is a limited partnership in Canada and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Edward D. Jones & Co. LP, a Missouri limited partnership. Edward D. Jones & Co. LP is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Jones Financial Companies, LLLP, a limited liability limited partnership.

For further information: Jessica Davidson, [email protected], [phone] or Sheryl So, [email protected], [phone]