The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption has announced its top 100 most adoption-friendly employers of 2009. At the top of course, is Wendy's International, Inc., the late Thomas's own company, which offers up to $24,300 and six weeks of fully paid leave to employees who adopt children.
The rankings are based first on the adoption cash benefit and then on the amount of paid or partially paid leave given to employees who adopt. Some companies offer considerably more than six weeks, like #7, Bowen Engineering which offers up to 13. Those lengthy paid leaves can be very helpful to parents adopting older children or others with special attachment challenges. In those cases, it's critical for parents to spend virtually all their time for quite a long time, just being with and providing for their new children's needs.
Adoption benefits are important because unlike the biological route (without complication) to parenthood, health insurance doesn't cover the adoption process. The cheapest public adoptions are usually covered by the federal tax credit for adoption, but most other adoptions will cost something--sometime quite a lot--out of pocket to adoptive parents. Every little bit helps, but most employers offer little to nothing in the way of adoption benefits.
On the other hand, often employees don't realize their company does offer adoption benefits. If you are considering or planning adoption, be sure to check with your employer about this. There might be something available to help.
Meanwhile, check out the top 100. Maybe you're lucky enough to work for one of these!
