COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 27, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Is your workplace adoption friendly? The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is compiling its annual list of companies that provide the best adoption benefits across the United States.
"We want companies across America to tell us how and why they are adoption friendly and participate in our seventh annual 100 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces survey," said Rita Soronen, president and CEO of the Foundation. "The list allows us to celebrate all companies with adoption benefits, and honor the nation's best with our annual ranking."
The 2013 application deadline is Monday, April 1. The Foundation's list of the nation's 100 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces is released in September and featured in Employee Benefit News magazine. The list is determined by an analysis of a company's adoption benefits, including the maximum amount of financial reimbursement and paid leave for families who adopt.
Companies with adoption benefits are encouraged to apply by completing the Foundation's 10-minute survey at adoptionfriendlyworkplace.org. Every year the Foundation announces America's top 100 adoption-friendly employers, the top 10 by size, and the leaders in each industry.
"Adoption benefits are one of the easiest and most cost-effective benefit policies a company can offer to its employees while making a huge impact on the lives of children and families," Soronen said. "But we also appreciate the many ways companies support adoption beyond benefits, from participating in fundraisers to celebrating and supporting families who have adopted."
Soronen has these suggestions about how employers can be adoption friendly:
- Promote the cause of adoption.
- Educate and inform employees about the adoption process.
- Create an adoption-friendly culture to celebrate families formed through adoption.
- Offer flexible time off and work schedules.
- Connect employees by creating an internal adoption network.
- Provide post-adoption resources.
- Get more involved with the Foundation through events, cause marketing and awareness initiatives.
If your organization does not offer adoption benefits, order the Foundation's free kit that makes it easy to propose and establish a policy in your workplace: adoptionfriendlyworkplace.org.
Follow the Foundation's social networks for news and updates:
About the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption:
The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is a national nonprofit public charity dedicated exclusively to finding permanent homes for the more than 130,000 children waiting in North America's foster care systems. Created by Wendy's® founder Dave Thomas who was adopted, the Foundation implements evidence-based, results-driven national service programs, foster care adoption awareness campaigns and advocacy initiatives. To learn more, visit davethomasfoundation.org or call 1-800-ASK-DTFA.
The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=17353