American Express has emerged as #1 this year on the 11th annual Top 100 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces list. The company is up from slot #30 last year. American Express offer all employees, both part-time and full-time, up to $35,000 in reimbursement for adoption costs and up to 20 weeks of paid parental leave for new moms and dads. The company has a maximum of two events set per employee.
Capital One Financial, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Quality Supply Chain Co-op, and Citizens Bank round out the top 5. For the Top 100 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces complete list click here.
Companies industry-wide are chosen for the list based on what adoption benefits the employees are given access to. Both the maximum reimbursement for adoption expenses and paid leave for families who adopt are considered.
In 2016 The Wendy’s Company was awarded Forever Family status, a permanent emeritus position atop the list for their ongoing commitment to adoption. The Wendy’s Company was the business pioneer of workplace adoption benefits. The efforts are in no small part a result of the hard work and dedication of its founder, Dave Thomas.
In the early 1990’s, Dave Thomas launched the public service campaign that inspired business owners to begin offering adoption benefits to their employees. He spoke out in support of adoption tax credits and legislation. The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is committed to finding a forever home for all kids in the foster care system. Its goal is to make sure those children all find a forever home before turning eighteen. The Foundation is tearing down myths and emphasizing realities in an effort to raise the number of parents who adopt from foster care. They hire “recruiters” to work with kids who may have difficulty finding placement. The Foundation is responsible for thousands of adoptions from foster care.
