Carlson Named One Of The Best Adoption-friendly Workplaces In The U.S.

By: Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group | 2 Shares 58 Reads

September 22, 2011 // Franchising.com // MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (Sept. 22, 2011) -- Carlson, a privately held, global hospitality and travel company, today announced it has been named as one of the ″Best Adoption-Friendly″ companies in the United States by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. Carlson ranked first in the hotel and travel industry category for the fifth consecutive year.

The recognition is based on the adoption benefits that companies offer their employees, including financial assistance and paid leave. Carlson provides up to USD 5,000 and six weeks of paid leave per adoption to adoptive parents.

"Each year, tens of thousands of children are adopted in the United States, getting a chance to grow up with a 'forever' family instead of in a foster home or institution," said Elizabeth Bastoni, executive vice president, Human Resources, Carlson. "This recognition – along with the participation rate in our benefits plans – is a recognition that we continue to deliver meaningful benefits that our employees value."

Bastoni notes that the adoption benefit is one more reason the company ranks highly as a family-friendly employer. Carlson was also recently recognized for the ninth time on Working Mother magazine's list of the Best 100 Companies for Working Mothers, and was named to the magazine's list of best companies for hourly workers.
Carlson's other key employee benefits and programs include flexible work arrangements, mental health assistance and webinars on a variety of topics, including financial planning.

In addition to ranking the top 100 companies, the Foundation also recognized the top 10 by size and the leaders of each industry. To view all of the honorees, visit www.DaveThomasFoundation.org.

The release of the fifth annual Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces List helps the Foundation increase foster care adoption awareness, while celebrating businesses that support adoptive families. Rankings are determined by an analysis of a company's adoption benefits available to employees, such as financial reimbursement and paid leave. The Foundation compiled results from its annual survey of U.S. employers and partnered with Employee Benefit News—a SourceMedia publication providing information to benefits executives—to announce the winners.

About Carlson

Carlson is a global hospitality and travel company headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn. Carlson encompasses 1,067 hotels, including Radisson®, Country Inns & Suites By CarlsonSM, Park Inn by Radisson and Park Plaza®; more than 900 T.G.I. Friday's® restaurants; and a majority stake in Carlson Wagonlit Travel®, the global leader in business travel management. Carlson operates in more than 150 countries and its brands employ about 170,000 people. http://www.carlson.com

About the Dave Thomas Foundation:

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is America's only nonprofit public charity dedicated exclusively to finding permanent homes for the 107,000 children waiting in foster care to be adopted. Created by Wendy's® founder, Dave Thomas, who was adopted, the Foundation implements results-driven, national, signature programs; foster care adoption awareness initiatives; and research-based advocacy efforts. More information is available on the Foundation's website, Www.DaveThomasFoundation.org, or by calling +1 (800) ASK-DTFA.

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