[Ben'sMom]

I work for a large insurance company with employees mostly in MN and CT. My company used to offer 6 wks paid leave and a $3000 adoption credit. The benefits were discontinued at the time of a merger in 2005.

I am preparing to meet with HR to discuss the merits of offering Adoption Benefits (as they offer maturnity and infertility benefits) and was wondering if anyone on the forum has any adoption statistics for the states of CT or MN that could help my case?

In my total of 7 visit/pick-up trips to Guatemala (Marriott), I have met so many families from MN, that it leads me to believe that adoption is more common in that state vs. some others.

I'm very disappointed in my company and want to let them know, but sound educated at the same time.

thanks for any advice...

MOM TO BEN
WAITING FOR EMILY

[apetry26]

Mine only provides 12 wk FMLA- unpd... blah

[Bizzie]

As doe smy company 12 weeks unpaid under the FMLA...but I will probably only be able to take 6....

I wish that there was some sort of tax credit or leave allowance.

[wvamom]

I work for the state--no adoption benefits here--but I did find out that we have an adoption tax credit for the state (thanks for the $2000, WV--I really do appreciate it!).

Carolyn

[brinawynne]

the company my husband works for provides adoption assistance of 2500 per child, and we've heard rumors that it will increase to 5000. Have you looked at the Dave Thomas website? They can send you a packet of info about info that you may need when approaching your employers about setting up a new program for adoption assistance. we ordered it when we were starting, because I was going to approach my employer, however a few months later we merged...so alas, no adoption assistance...

good luck!!

[coachmom]

self-employed here so I guess we provide our own..LOL
Doretta

[brinawynne]

FYI: the number of visa's issued to immigrant orphans coming into the US from Guatemala in FY2005 was 3,783. At $30,000 per adoption (just throwing a # out there, because I know they're all diff), that comes out to $113,490,000 . I don't know how many companies offer adoption assistance, but for those who do, obviously see that it is a huge benefit for parents, at least it was for us.

[cmc]

I work for a large telecommunications company and we get 10,000 back from adoption fees and up to one year off no pay for care of newborn.

My husband works for the 'wireless' division of the same company and he gets 3000 towards adoption fees.

[adoptnky]

My company does not offer any paid time off. (We can use our vacation/sick time and then unpaid FMLA time)

My company does offer a $5,000 adoption assistance. This is the maximum amount offered by the federal government as a tax break. There will be some taxes (not income) taken out of the money, but anything is better than nothing.

I work for a HR consulting firm, and adoption benefits is on benefit that gets a company a lot of kudos from their employees. Most employees see that benefit and think, "Wow - that's really nice that they offer that.", but a very small percentage of the companies employees will ever take advantage of the benefit. So they get the goodwill, but don't have to pay it out very often.

Now, if I could get them to give me a "maternity leave" it would be even better!

[brandydawn]

No benefits other than FMLA, however my boss worked with my on rolling over more than the allowed vacation time so I could get more paid time off.

Regards,
Brandy

[Ben'sMom]

Adoptnky - I agree that adoption benefits create employee goodwill. I was looking for the proper term - and Goodwill is perfect.

I can't see why my company decided to take away the benefits - even if they are not used by the majority - they DO NOT cost the company anything unless they are used.

[sesmom]

I'm from Minnesota and work for a life insurance company. They offer 4 weeks paid leave and $2500 towards the cost of the adoption.

During our first adoption the company I worked for offered nothing even after I petitioned them for benefits. I requested the information from the Dave Thomas foundation and it was very helpful. Definitely start there - I think also finding out what the competitors of the company you work for offer helps - most companies like to remain in line with their competitors.

Good luck! It's definitely worth it to try -

Ann

[lola955]

My company does not offer any assistance toward fees, but does provide 12 weeks paid leave, which is the same leave offered to pregnant women.

[Steffie]

My company reimburses $5,000 for adoption fees and provides 6 weeks of fully paid leave after the adoption is final.

[JohnnaMJH]

My husband's company, a large insurance company, provided a $2500 benefit towards both of our adoptions. We just had to submit the decree when we were done. Good luck!