Employers are increasingly offering paid time off for adoptions, according to a new report from consulting group Mercer. The benefit is likely an attempt to meet the needs of a workforce in which the definition of “family” now includes same-sex parents, the firm said.
While employees in the U.S. have access to 12 weeks’ unpaid leave for adoptions if they meet the Family and Medical Leave Act’s (FMLA) eligibility requirements, companies are beginning to provide more generous leave, Mercer said in its 2016 Global Parental Leave report.
The report is based on findings from a study that surveyed companies around the globe. The survey revealed that in countries with generous mandated leave, such as those in Western Europe, employers merely rely on the applicable law. But in other countries, like the U.S., companies have “filled the void” with paid time off.
Globally, 29% of employers said they provide adoption leave above relevant statutory requirements. Countries in the Americas rank higher at 33%. The practice is seen least often in Asia Pacific, with only 22% of employers offering more than statutory minimums.
The infographic below highlights more findings from this survey. Click on the image for a larger view. Read more about the survey.
