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Edward Jones Maternity time?

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Mar 26, 2009 6:11 pm

Any female FAs here have children while at EJ?



I’m assuming the standard 6 wk FMLA applies here (correct if I’m wrong). But since you’re 100% commission, how does this work? Do you go without pay for 6 weeks?

Mar 26, 2009 6:22 pm

Newb,

They follow the standard FMLA laws for maternity leave.  I am not sure about pay, but they may place a STL transition rep in your office for the leave, especially if you have no intention of doing work from home (some people choose to).  Don't expect a lot of commissions, though.  They are mostly there to babysit. I think you may be entitled to 30 days "disability" pay from your STD policy (everyone has this). I would jsut call HR and ask.
Mar 26, 2009 6:26 pm

Thanks. I am not an EJ employee yet - still considering the opportunity. My husband & I really want to start a family ASAP, though, and I’m anxious about going through training while pregnant/having a baby so soon into the process. Half of me says I’d be crazy to put myself through it, the other 1/2 says there no “good time” to have a baby & throw caution to the wind . . . .

Mar 26, 2009 6:41 pm

What a nightmare you would go through starting out in THIS business while pregnant and having to take care of a newborn.  This business has like a 90%+ fail rate…and thats with most of us having to eat for one, not have morning sickness and not taking ANY time off.  I can’t imagine where I’d be if I wasn’t able to let loose and go on a drinking binge once every week or two my 1st year.  You won’t have that luxury, and believe me what a luxury it was.  (And still is, some weeks)

Mar 26, 2009 6:46 pm

Okay, see, this is the kind of feedback I need. Anybody else want to weigh in?



Mar 26, 2009 8:43 pm

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Mar 26, 2009 9:24 pm

It might actually be helpful in generating business.  I would hate to turn away a pregnant lady from my door. 

Mar 26, 2009 9:31 pm
Hank Newbie:

It might actually be helpful in generating business. I would hate to turn away a pregnant lady from my door.



Ha ha! I'll be sure tell my husband that. "It will be SO good for my business..."
Mar 26, 2009 9:48 pm

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Mar 26, 2009 10:10 pm

My wife says you’d be crazy. If you haven’t had a child, you have no idea of the demands on your time and energy, especially in that first year. She said you could go back to work after the baby turns 1, but even then only if you have a strong support system (grandparents to provide care, an active father). Her quote: ‘Give child bearing the respect it deserves. It is the hardest thing you will ever do.’


Mar 26, 2009 10:17 pm
NewbieMcNewberson:

Thanks. I am not an EJ employee yet - still considering the opportunity. My husband & I really want to start a family ASAP, though, and I’m anxious about going through training while pregnant/having a baby so soon into the process. Half of me says I’d be crazy to put myself through it, the other 1/2 says there no “good time” to have a baby & throw caution to the wind . . . .



And do what? Leave the 6 week old infant to be raised by someone else while you work 12 hour days? What's the point in having a child or children?
Mar 26, 2009 10:38 pm

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Mar 26, 2009 10:52 pm

"Her quote: ‘Give child bearing the respect it deserves. It is the hardest thing you will ever do.’"

Perfect quote.  This business will still be here (hopefully) when the kid turns 2.  There’s no need to put yourself through the mental anguish that already goes into year #1 as a financial advisor while already walking around w/another human inside your torso.  Your kid will thank you in 20 years when you tell them stories about how you were always there during those first few years.

  Thats not to say you shouldn't get a job.  Go get something that will allow you to work 9-5 and take time off when you need w/out worrying about clients and commissions.
Mar 26, 2009 11:03 pm

All kidding aside, I have to agree with the other posters.  I know you shouldn’t divulge personal information in places like these, but here is my .02 cents.  My wife is a hard driven professional, we have lost to pregnancies to miscarriage and now cannot have any kids without adoption.  I know you can’t blame it on one thing or another, but it is always in the back of my mind that if she had only slowed down…Sad as it is to say, I put the fact that I wouldn’t be raising kids in the plus column when I decided to make the jump to this biz.

Mar 26, 2009 11:44 pm

Some very good feedback here.  I’ll add something that many have said before…an excellent prep job to go into this field is a 100% commission sales job.  Learn how to sell and then when junior (and siblings?) go off to kindergarten and you’re 30+, come back and take a run at investment advisor.  I think your chances of success will be muuuuuuch better at that point.  Sure…it can be done, but why take the hard(er) road?

Mar 27, 2009 1:11 am

Newb,

If you are doing this just to have a job because you need it while you have kids, DON'T DO IT.  You will work WAAAY too hard for far too little money in the early years.  And what unfortunately happens most of the time (woman, man, kids, no kids) is that you either get fired or don't make it, so end up basically living through the worst part of this career for the least amount of pay.  If you need to work, depending on the situation, do something in sales or in a support role at a brokerage firm.  Both will pay you stable income and give you some exposure either to this field or the life of sales.   There is just way too much personal/professional/family/financial committment to get into this business halfway.  If you have ANY doubts, don't do it.
Mar 27, 2009 2:37 am

Don't let it stop you. Women are really needed in this business.

   
Mar 27, 2009 3:27 am

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Mar 27, 2009 9:11 am
wind3574:

I’d agree with Takingnames. If its just a job that you wanna try out…spend it with your kiddo…If you really really want this…do it…You can balance family life…I do…and like I said before…Theres a girl who did it here and she blew the doors off it…I’m sure her kid would be more happy about the Div trips and living comfortably…than having to be at daycare… I have a little one too and I’m starting out…(Of course I am not pregnant!) It’s a hard one…put them in daycare when they are young…or miss the first few school years…But don’t let anyone fool ya…You can be very successful AND be a good parent…You’ll work hard but you wont disappear



Wind, I've stayed above the fray, but there's something I've got to interject at this point. Please stop giving advice on success...you're a LONG way from being successful. I wish you the best, but a couple of good months, particularly when starting out as you are, is a far cry from making it big in this league.
Mar 27, 2009 9:22 am

“You can be very successful AND be a good parent…You’ll work hard but you wont disappear”

  This is true only if you believe that dropping the kids off at day care or missing the first few school years qualifies as being a good parent.   Do you really believe that kids care more about div trips and living comfortably than spending time with their mom?