At a time when finding and retaining great talent is at a premium, companies across the country are discovering that offering adoption- or foster-friendly benefits can make a big difference to their current employees, while giving companies an edge in recruiting top talent as well.
There are many advantages to offering adoption benefits. For some companies introducing an adoption-benefit policy is a chance to support families of every type and demonstrate a commitment to their employees’ work/life balance in a meaningful way. For employees and job candidates, the benefits can be life changing. According to a recent study commissioned by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, 68% of people consider their employee benefits when deciding to pursue adoption.
Adoption benefits can come in a variety of forms. Some adoption-friendly companies are finding that the most valuable benefits they can offer are flexibility and guidance. A number of organizations are also providing access to adoption experts to help make the sometimes frustrating and complicated process a little less so.
For most companies, though, the benefits offered are primarily in the form of paid leave or financial assistance. With a federal mandate that companies with 50 or more employees are required to offer 12 weeks of unpaid leave to care for an adopted or newly placed child, many companies are offering that time as paid leave, with some even offering an additional period of unpaid leave after the 12 weeks.
But whether its financial assistance, paid leave or expert guidance, the effect appears to be the same: offering adoption benefits is a simple way to make a huge impact on families looking to grow. It’s no wonder then that so many employers have begun offering them. In fact, what used to be a unique perk is now considered commonplace in many industries.
Of course, as any HR professional knows, adding a benefits package is anything but easy. For companies looking for assistance in adding an adoption-benefits package, there are several organizations that can help get things started. For instance, human resource organizations like the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) can be a great source for help in implementing a new program.
In addition, companies can turn to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption for guidance on adding adoption-benefit packages. They also offer a comprehensive toolkit which can be downloaded at DaveThomasFoundation.org/afwtoolkit.
As the founder of The Wendy’s Company® and someone who was adopted as a child, Dave Thomas was a champion for adoption and played a huge role in bringing adoption benefits into the corporate mainstream. Today, his Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption’s 100 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces list and their Adoption-Friendly and Foster-Friendly workplace certifications have become badges of honor for organizations committed to the cause.
To achieve this certification, organizations must meet certain criteria like offering at least six weeks of paid leave and $5,000 or more in financial reimbursement for adoption costs. Companies can apply for the certification at davethomasfoundation.org but applications must be received in by April 6, 2026, with results being released in June.
This certification gives participating companies the opportunity to opt-in to a database of benefits offered by other organizations across the United States, allowing them to see how their benefits compare to those offered by similar companies.
Organizations all over the country are finding that becoming an adoption-friendly company can result in a boost to an organization’s employee retention and morale. But for many companies, the real benefit is something far greater than that.
There aren’t many ways an organization can make a direct and lasting impact on the lives of their employees and their families. But by offering adoption and foster-care benefits, companies are not only making a real difference to children in a need of a home, the families of their employees, and to society in general, they’re setting themselves apart in a way that’s attracting the nation’s top talent, helping society and increasing goodwill in significant ways.