May 2, 2008 12:00

And the most adoption-friendly workplace is...

Every year, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption announces its picks for the most adoption-friendly employers. Here's what it says about its 2008 winner, Wendy's:

Headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, Wendy's International, Inc. offers up to $23,300 in financial reimbursement and up to six weeks of paid leave for employees who adopt. Wendy's was among more than 50 companies who enhanced or established adoption benefits as a result of what they learned from the Foundation's first Best Adoption-Friendly Workplace list in 2007.

But wait a minute, you say. Dave Thomas was the founder of Wendy's. So isn't this award a little nepotistic?

Sure. But so what, I say. If the founder of your corporation was a strong advocate of a good cause, it makes sense that he imbued his company with his own values. (Thomas, in fact, grew up in the foster-care system.) I wrote about how more employers were helping workers adopt children by offering financial help, time off or employee networks in this article last year. It's an important benefit to the growing numbers of working parents who want to grow their families this way.