By offering adoption benefits such as financial assistance and paid leave to employees who adopt, three Minnesota companies are among the “100 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces” in America-a ranking that's compiled annually by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.

Minneapolis-based General Mills, Inc., Minnetonka-based Carlson, and Bloomington-based RSM McGladrey, Inc., all made the 2010 list.

General Mills ranked 27th on the list, offering a maximum reimbursement of $10,000 and two weeks of paid leave to employees who adopt. Carlson and RSM McGladrey tied at number 80 on the list, offering reimbursements of $5,000 and six weeks of paid leave to employees who adopt.

Carlson was the only company in the hotel and travel industry to make the list.

The rankings are determined based on an analysis of adoption benefits and were compiled using survey data collected from nearly 500 U.S. employers. The foundation partnered with Employee Benefit News to collect the data and announced the winners in late September.

The average financial reimbursement provided to employees who adopt is $5,500 and the average paid leave time is five weeks, according to the survey data. More than 40 percent of survey participants offer more unpaid leave than the amount that's required by the federal Family and Medical Leave Act.

“It is critical for every child to have the opportunity to adjust and thrive in their adoptive home,” Rita Soronen, executive director of the foundation, said in a statement. “This is why employer support of adoption and family-friendly work environments are so crucial.”

Atlanta-based Wendy's/Arby's Group, Inc., earned the number one spot on the list, offering a maximum reimbursement of $24,300 and six weeks of paid leave.

Founded in 1992 by Wendy's founder Dave Thomas, who was adopted himself, The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is a national nonprofit that serves more than 150,000 children.

-Liala Helal