AUM: $350 billion
Employees: 328
In the 24/7 economy, it's not uncommon for work to consume one's life. Employees at Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. say they are grateful they can have a rewarding job and a life.
"Sometimes teams get overwhelmed with priorities coming from different directions," said CEO Marie Chandoha.
Schwab encourages staff members to sort priorities with their managers. "When employees feel they have no control, it becomes difficult," she said.
Employees surveyed for this year's Best Places to Work in Money Management program said they appreciate that they have time for family and personal interests. "Work-life balance is a core part of our culture — it's not lip service," one employee wrote. Another said: "There is not an expectation that people should work too many hours to get ahead."
Ms. Chandoha, a 35-year industry veteran, plans to retire at the end of March.
One of the highest-ranking women in investment management, Ms. Chandoha said the national focus on the progress of women in the workplace has underscored the need to build the pipeline of women into the industry and ensure the environment enables them to rise to senior levels. Studies suggest that women apply for jobs only when they believe they are 90% or 100% qualified.
San Francisco-based Schwab, she said, has introduced training in leadership and communication to help women advance. Specific programs have focused on empowering women to negotiate or raise their hand to seize opportunities that become available.
"We're also sensitizing hiring managers around that," Ms. Chandoha said. "Just because someone hasn't raised her hand — have you talked to her?"
