For many couples hoping to adopt, receiving adoption benefits from their employer is a huge advantage. In fact, some do not even realize that their employer offers adoption benefits until they ask.
Employer-provided adoption benefits may be more than a growing trend, especially as more couples seek to grow their families through open adoption. Employers who provide parental leave and other benefits for new parents may extend these benefits to those seeking to become parents through adoption.
You may discover that your workplace offers more help than you initially thought. These benefits can make adoption much more financially manageable. This article will explore what workplace adoption benefits typically entail and provide tips on how to approach your employer to inquire about these benefits.
What Are Adoption Benefits?
Many companies recognize the significance of adoption and offer adoption benefits as part of their employee assistance programs. These benefits can help alleviate the financial burden associated with adoption and provide essential support.
Here are some common types of benefits that employers may offer:
1. Financial Assistance
Some employers provide reimbursement for adoption-related expenses, such as agency fees, legal fees, home studies, and travel expenses. This financial support can significantly reduce the financial strain associated with private adoption. According to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption 2024 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplace Survey, employers offer an average of $16,422 in financial reimbursement for adoption costs.
Reimbursement plans can cover a significant portion of adoption-related expenses, and employers may be inclined to pay more in special circumstances. They may cover agency fees, court costs, medical costs, and financial help for your child’s birth mother.
Before you adopt, check with your employer to see when adoption benefits will kick in. Some payments are reimbursed after you pay for them, while others kick in when the adoption is finalized. Having this knowledge ahead of time could prevent you from having to take out a loan to cover your adoption fees.
You could also use work perks to ease the costs associated with adopting. For example, discounts on hotels, restaurants, and plane tickets could help defray your adoption travel costs.
2. Educational Resources
Educational resources are often the first stop for employees who make use of their adoption benefits. These resources include referrals to licensed adoption agencies and support groups for parents considering adoption or dealing with the transition it may bring. Employers may also connect you with an adoption specialist to answer your questions about the process.
Additionally, employers may help those dealing with difficult adoption situations or special needs adoptions. They can also point you toward organizations and therapists that offer more support.
3. Paid Leave
Companies may offer paid leave to employees who are adopting a child, allowing them the necessary time to bond with their new family member and adjust to the changes. Paid time off can be particularly helpful when adopting an infant or a young child who may require additional care and attention during the initial stages.
Paid parental leave allows you to bond with your newly adopted baby and ensure he or she has the necessary support. As Rita Soronen, President and CEO of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, says, “It is vital for adoptive parents to spend time with their children to bond and develop trust. Employers who offer adoption benefits understand that the initial needs of adoptive families are no different than families formed biologically. And family-friendly work environments create strong and loyal workforces.”
Some workplaces may offer up to 12 paid weeks off. According to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption 2024 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplace Survey, 9.6 weeks is the average length of paid leave offered to adoptive parents.
Your HR representative can inform you of any restrictions or guidelines you need to know about. For instance, how much time do you have to give your employer to approve your parental leave? Is there a guideline on when you can receive reimbursements for expenses?
4. Counseling and Support Services
Adoption can be an emotionally challenging process. Some employers offer access to counseling services or support groups to help employees navigate the emotional aspects of adoption and address any concerns or anxieties that may arise during the process.
5. Flexible Work Arrangements
Employers may provide flexible work arrangements, such as reduced working hours or telecommuting options, to accommodate the needs of employees going through the adoption process. This flexibility allows adoptive parents to attend adoption-related appointments, home study interviews, court hearings, or other necessary engagements.
When Should You Talk to Your Employer?
For many people, speaking to an employer about adoption happens early on. During the home study, you’ll probably need to gather financial information from your Human Resources Department. When you request this information, you may also ask about potential benefits.
You may discover that your workplace offers more than you initially thought. These benefits can make adoption much more manageable for a family with limited resources! Once you have a clear understanding of your adoption benefits, work closely with your adoption agency or attorney to ensure that you meet all the necessary requirements and documentation. Keep track of your expenses and maintain proper records, as you may need to provide documentation when seeking reimbursement.
The earlier you inform your employer of your adoption plans, the better. It is important to notify your workplace about your intentions because your employer may need to hire or transition somebody to fill your role when you take parental leave. They will appreciate having more time to make this decision, and may also ask you to train your stand-in.
Ultimately, this is a very personal decision. Some people have waited until they got the call that a child was waiting for them. Others have informed their workplace as soon as their home study was approved. You have to examine your choices to see what makes sense for you.
It’s Normal to Feel Uncomfortable
Many people feel uncomfortable bringing up their adoption plans with their employer. If you feel this way, you’re not alone! You might worry that once you bring up the process, you will get a barrage of questions you are not yet ready or willing to answer.
In order to bring up adoption, you may have to set forth some boundaries. If somebody asks you how the adoption is going, you may have a pre-determined script in mind.
You can also ask your HR representative to keep your inquiry about adoption benefits discreet. Asking about adoption benefits does not mean that the entire workplace has to know just yet. You can provide information to your co-workers and supervisor on a need-to-know basis.
Finding Support
If you are concerned about when to approach the situation and exactly what you want to say, a therapist can provide you with a lot of support. Your therapist can provide you with tools to manage your anxiety if you’re nervous about the situation. They can also help you put together a game plan if you need a script for what to say about your plans to adopt.
You might consider seeking help with this issue in an adoption support group. Many hopeful adoptive parents have been in your situation. While they can’t tell you what to do, they can relay their own experiences so that you can weigh your options and determine which one is most suitable for you. Having the additional support can help you determine exactly what you want to say and when you want to say it.
What If My Employer Doesn’t Offer Adoption Benefits?
If your company doesn’t offer employees adoption benefits, you can encourage them to start such a program by reaching out to the Dave Thomas Foundation about their Adoption-Friendly Workplace program. Their mission is to make adoption an affordable option for every employed adoptive parent. Just visit their site at AdoptionFriendlyWorkplace.org or call them at 1-800-ASK-DTFA (1-800-275-3832.)
You may be able to persuade your employer to consider adoption benefits because so few people ever actually use them. Your employer may spend less money than they think they will, but employees can still reap the benefits.
Offering adoption benefits provides many advantages to companies. For one, the company displays a sense of social responsibility. They show that they care about their employees and want to do what is best for their community. Additionally, employer adoption benefits make employees happier. Improved employee morale can increase employee efficiency and attendance.
According to a 2021 study published in the Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, “Employees who feel supported in their adoption by their organization are more committed to their organization.” The study found that when companies support adoptive employees, it also boosts their spouses’ loyalty to the company. In addition, support for adoption at work helps employees feel good about their job, which benefits their family life. Finally, the study found that adopted children also benefit when their parents’ employers provide real support for the adoption process.
Adoption Benefits and You
Adoption benefits offered by your workplace can significantly alleviate the financial burden of private adoption in the United States. They can make all the difference as you add a new member to your family!
By tapping into these resources, you can embark on your adoption journey with greater peace of mind, knowing that your employer supports and values your decision to grow your family through adoption. Remember to explore your workplace adoption benefits, understand the process, and seek guidance from adoption professionals to make the most of this transformative experience.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on September 2, 2020, and has since been updated.
Founder of Lifetime Adoption, adoptive mom, adoption expert, and Certified Open Adoption Practitioner (C.O.A.P).
Since 1986, adoption expert Mardie Caldwell has been dedicated to bringing couples and birth parents together in order to fulfill their dreams.
“Many years ago, I was also searching for a child to adopt. We didn’t know where or how to get started. Through research, determination, and a prayer, our dream of a family became reality. I started with a plan, a notebook, assistance from a caring adoption consultant and a lot of hard work; this was my family I was building. We had a few heartaches along the way, but the pain of not having children was worse!
Within weeks we had three different birth mothers choose us. We were overwhelmed and delighted. Many unsettling events would take place before our adoption would be finalized, many months later. Little did I know that God was training and aligning me for the adoption work I now do today. It is my goal to share with our families the methods and plans which succeed and do not succeed. I believe adoption should be affordable and can be a wonderful “pregnancy” for the adoptive couple.
I have also been on both sides of infertility with the loss of seven pregnancies and then conceiving by new technology, giving birth to a healthy daughter. I have experienced first-hand the emotional pain of infertility and believe my experience allows me to serve your needs better.
It is my hope that for you, the prospective parents, your desire for a child will be fulfilled soon.”
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