Dave Thomas Foundation For Adoption Announces The Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces In America

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption today announced the Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces in America based on adoption benefits offered to employees. Number one on the list is Providence, Rhode Island-based Citizens Financial Group, Inc., which does business as Citizens Bank and Charter One Bank as well. Citizens also ranked #1 in the financial services industry.

The list of the nation’s top 100 companies includes large companies like JPMorgan Chase (New York, NY), medium-sized companies like Leo Burnett (Chicago, IL), and small, employee-owned companies like South Mountain Company (West Tisbury, MA).

“Roughly 64% of Americans have had a personal experience with adoption,” explained Rita Soronen, executive director of the Foundation. “This comprehensive list recognizes employers who excel at supporting their employees who adopt by providing financial assistance and paid leave.”

Citizens Financial Group, Inc. provides employees up to $20,960 per adoption and one week paid leave. Katherine F. McKenzie, group executive vice president and chief human resources officer, said adoption benefits are important to the corporation.

”We are constantly looking for ways to make Citizens the best place to work,” she said. “When we hear adoption success stories from our colleagues and learn about the love that has grown between parents and children, we are all touched by adoption. To know that Citizens had a small part in bringing families together is very rewarding for us.”

Paula Cavallaro, trust administrator at Citizens Financial Group, Inc., recently adopted 13-year-old Anny from Columbia, South America.

“It would be wonderful if more companies would offer adoption benefits,” she said. “There are so many children out there who need a loving home, including many older children, and if help is offered, more couples are apt to consider adoption. My family and I will always be thankful to Citizens for helping us make our dream come true.”

The Top 100 list was composed after CEOs and human resource executives from 762 U.S. companies participated in either a direct mail or online survey. Employers were ranked based on their adoption benefits, such as the amount of financial reimbursement and paid leave available to employees who adopt. The Foundation also recognized the top 10 by size, the leaders of each industry, and companies who support the cause of adoption and adoptive families in other ways. Survey respondents offer financial reimbursement ranging from $500 to $20,960 and paid leave ranging from one to 16 weeks with averages of $4,700 in financial reimbursement and five weeks of paid leave.