America's 100 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces in 2015 Honored by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption

COLUMBUS, OH--(Marketwired - Oct 6, 2015) - Today, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption -- America's only nonprofit public charity dedicated to finding homes for children in foster care -- releases its annual 100 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces ranking. The list recognizes the nation's most adoption-friendly workplaces by size for their adoption benefits and commitment to supporting adoptive families.

The Wendy's Company is No. 1 on the Foundation's 2015 list, with a combination of up to $25,300 in adoption assistance and up to six weeks of paid adoption leave. (Editor's note: The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is not an affiliate of The Wendy's Company.)

"Dave Thomas built Wendy's on a set of core family values that continue to drive our business and culture today," said Emil Brolick, President and CEO at The Wendy's Company. "Our commitment to caring for our employees in their professional and personal lives is an important part of that culture. We are honored to be recognized for our work in this area."

This year marks the ninth running of the Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces List, recognizing companies by the top 100, industry leaders and business size. Employers who applied for the list offer an average of $7,600 in adoption assistance and almost six weeks of paid leave. Financial reimbursement varies from $1,000 to $25,300, and one to 18 weeks of paid leave. Unpaid leave for adoption, beyond what is required by the Family and Medical Leave Act, ranges from one week to three years.

New for 2015, the Foundation recognizes emerging leaders in supporting adoption benefits. These employers go beyond benefits to support the cause of adoption. Some encourage adoption, educate potential adoptive parents, offer support and networks to employees who adopt, and incorporate adoption into services provided by their employee assistance program. Others include adoption nonprofits in their payroll deduction programs, participate in cause-related marketing programs or provide foster care-friendly benefits.

The list is determined by an analysis of a company's adoption benefits, based on surveys completed by employers, including the maximum amount of financial reimbursement and paid leave for families who adopt.

"Employers who offer adoption benefits understand that the initial needs of adoptive families are no different than families formed biologically -- it helps ensure all families are treated equally by companies," said Rita Soronen, President and CEO of the Foundation. "We are elated to see even more companies in the last year implement adoption-friendly and foster care-friendly benefits."

More information about adoption benefits, including a free kit with proposed adoption benefits policies, is available at: adoptionfriendlyworkplace.org.

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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 innovative grant making. To learn more, visit davethomasfoundation.org or call 1-800-ASK-DTFA.