Recovery Friendly Workplaces

A “Recovery Friendly Workplace” (RFW) is a place of work in which the employer, in collaboration with employees, establishes, maintains, and continually enhances policies, practices, and a culture and work environment that are supportive of current and prospective employees in recovery from, or otherwise affected by, substance use disorders.

What is a Recovery Friendly Workplace?

A business or organization that…

Is equipped with knowledge, information, tools, and resources about SUD and recovery to help employers effectively prevent and respond to substance use in the workforce
Recognizes stigma associated with SUD and recovery and uses education, discussion, and trainings to address and challenge that stigma
Has equitable acknowledgment, and accompanying procedures and policies, that treats SUD and recovery as other chronic health conditions are treated
Provides support for employees seeking to find, or maintain, recovery, or seeking resources for their loved ones
Establishes a culture of comfortability when there is a need for support services, whether for themselves or their loved ones, that eliminates some of the fear with coming forward
Is Certified

Benefits of being a Recovery Friendly Workplace

How the Field is Growing Across the Country

NIEHS/CDC/NIOSH RFW Landscape Analysis

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences conducted a survey that evaluated work in the Recovery Friendly Workplace realm that was being done across the country.

NIEHS/CDC/NIOSH RFW Landscape Analysis State Profiles

Part of the NIEHS RFW analysis report showed where the participating states were at in terms of establishing RFW programs.

Federal Recovery [Friendly] Workplace Resource Hub

The federal government hosts a resource hub on the Department of Labor website to help in understanding what a Recovery Friendly Workplace is and where to start in becoming one. This includes the Recovery [Friendly] Workplace Toolkit that serves as guidance for private and public sector employees.

National Governors Association's Policy Roadmap

In the National Governors Association’s Implementing Best Practices Across the Continuum of Care to Prevent Overdose report, page 69 highlights implementing Recovery Friendly Workplace programs as a best practice or Governors.

Fors Marsh Survey

Fors Marsh put together a report that took a comprehensive look at attitudes toward, and support for, people in the workplace who are in recovery from substance use disorders. The report includes actionable data and recommendations to help companies make their workplaces more recovery friendly for the over 14 million people in recovery and their family members.