News & Politics

Best Places to Work in DC: Edelman Financial Services

Fairfax; 497 employees

Edelman’s mission—with seminars, books, and financial planning for clients—is to demystify investing for the middle class. In keeping with its unstuffy quest, the office is a “no-tie zone” where the staff occasionally gets together for silly events such as Glop Day—with ice cream and lots of toppings—or an afternoon of board games. (Besides the Fairfax headquarters, where 234 people work, there are locations in Ashburn, Bethesda, Silver Spring, and Alexandria.) Other rewards include ticket raffles (Wolf Trap, Nats Diamond Club level with VIP parking), up to 16 hours of paid time off for volunteering, and a Rolex watch after ten years.

Perk: For every five years worked, an employee receives a paid four-week sabbatical—and has his or her work e-mail and cell phone shut off.