Our 12 guiding principles define our culture, how we treat others, and how we do our work. When we developed these principles several years ago, they were published in no particular order other than we put Families First at the top of the list. We believe in Families First, as we genuinely care about the health, happiness, and success of our employees and their families. We also know that when our employees’ lives are good outside of the workplace, they show up as their best selves, do their best work, and support each other.
Families First means that we encourage our employees to prioritize important moments for their family as we all strive to integrate work and life. Our industry is a demanding one driven by tight schedules and tough work, which results in necessary personal sacrifice at times. We advocate for our employees to control their schedules where possible to be at those important family events. We emphasize the importance of being present when you are with your family. Set electronic devices and work thoughts aside, and focus on what’s right in front of you. By putting Families First, JE Dunn fosters a culture where employees can fully dedicate themselves to the moments that matter most with their loved ones.
Gordon
Families First is something a lot of companies say is one of their values, but they rarely show this. JE Dunn really cares about employees and their families, and some of us are lucky enough to work with family members. My dad told me about the opportunity to work here, and I’m so grateful for it. I have big boots to fill, since he is so loved by everyone.
Going on 17 years with the JE Dunn family, I feel like my career here is just like being at home. My daughter working at our Atlanta office makes it feel more like home than before. In my current role, I do the hiring, training, and reviews for all our non-union hourly employees. Every time I start a new hire on the onboarding process, I tell them, ‘Welcome to the JE Dunn family.’
Working at the same company as my sister has not only strengthened my workplace relationships but has also broadened my perspective and helped me adjust as a newcomer to the industry. I see the value of Families First as both a privilege and a responsibility — offering employees the flexibility to prioritize personal matters while maintaining a healthy balance between work and life. More than that, it’s a call to extend help, compassion, and understanding to everyone, whether they’re family by blood or by the bonds we build at work.
Having a sister on the internal side of JE Dunn has definitely expanded my workplace connections and has given me a better understanding of what happens behind the scenes in terms of marketing and communications. It is also funny to see people make the connection since Madison and I do not look alike!
As we enter 2025 and continue advancing Key Strategic Initiative #4: Best People + Right Culture, we remain dedicated to fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered.
At JE Dunn, Doing the Right Thing is more than a core value—it’s the foundation of how we build authentic partnerships and cultivate a culture of belonging.
Throughout our 26 JE Dunn offices, building, giving, and people are at the heart of what we do. Click below to see more of the great things happening throughout our regions.
