100 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces
For the second year the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption ranked and announced the 100 Best Adoption Friendly Work Places in the U.S. According to the Foundation, rankings are based on the amount of financial reimbursement and paid leave for employees who chose to adopt. However, companies must first register to be on the list so there may actually be companies that are not represented (click here for the full list of those registered).
Companies are ranked by size (top 10) and by industry (top five).
Wendy’s International, Inc, as a result of last year’s findings was amoung one of more than 50 companies who enhancedor established adoption benefits for employees. Wendy’s increased their financial reimbursement from $7,000 to$23,000 and increased paid leave from 1 week to 6 full week.
According to the foundation’s 2008 survey results, the average adoption-friendly employer has had a policy in place for eight years, offers up to $5,000 in financial assistance and five weeks of paid leave.
It’s a far cry from what I was presented with when I asked; no paid leave, no sick days, and no reimbursement. However, in my school district maternity leave was covered; sick days were allowed to be used before paid leave began, and they were given 6 weeks paid leave. Additionally, when a colleague of mine had a baby (his wife did) HE was allowed to take PAID leave by calling in sick. How does that play out?
My husband’s company offers $3,000 reimbursement but no paid leave. Instead, we save his vacation time and roll it over from the previous year in anticipation for both travel time and home leave time.
Although the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption focuses mainly on foster care programs they also help employers and employees create adoption friendly work places so that more children can find homes. Click here for ways that you can help the Foundation.
