Individuals with substance use disorders and those in recovery face challenges to maintain health and well-being. Community connections, including access to stable jobs, steady paychecks, and supportive workplaces help sustain recovery. Recovery Friendly Workplaces (RFW) in Marinette County, Wisconsin, helps local employers, primarily in the manufacturing sector, to better understand policies and practices that can help make a work environment supportive for recovering individuals. Funded by the Wisconsin Partnership Project, RFW offers evidence-based information for Marinette County employers who want to make foundational changes to the way they hire, engage with and support employees living with or seeking recovery from substance abuse.

RFW evaluates workplace policies to see how they can be made more recovery friendly, trains employers on recovery from substance abuse disorders, and provides on-going support for maintaining a recovery-friendly environment. By fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment, RFW enhances employee well-being and contributes to overall organizational success, demonstrating the value of investing in recovery-friendly initiatives. A snapshot of the program with evaluation data is here and contact information is available at the RFW website. 

The first RFW in the United States was implemented in New Hampshire in 2018 and these promising employment initiatives have grown over time. Most states and many counties have some type of RFW and there is a national trade organization supporting them.