Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative
Promoting individual wellness by creating work environments that further the mental and physical well-being of employees; proactively preventing substance misuse and supporting recovery from addiction in the workplace and the community.
The Initiative
The Recovery Friendly Workplace (RFW) Initiative empowers employers with training, tools, and resources to better address mental health and substance use in the workplace and celebrate a culture of recovery.
Endorsed by former Governor Brian Sandoval and championed by the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, the Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative encourages healthy and safe working environments where employers, employees, and communities collaborate to create positive change, eliminate stigma, and support recovery.
Today, there are over 28 other states with similar initiatives.
of individuals who use illicit drugs and alcohol are employed. Is your business talking to the one in three American households affected by substance use disorders?
is the annual cost to Nevada for substance misuse, most of which are incurred by businesses. These costs include reduction in labor force, decreased productivity, turnover, absenteeism, health care, and criminal justice.
Americans are in recovery from substance use disorder. People in recovery are our employees, customers, friends, and family members.
Firsthand Stories
Carly's Story
This is Carly’s story. The editor and chief at Google’s Daily Insider. After using drugs and alcohol to cope with major depression, she went to rehab and reclaimed her life. Now in recovery, she leads a key part of her employer’s internal communications.
Sharon's Story
This is Sharon’s story. CEO of a healthcare-related company, her son got addicted to painkillers. He’s now in recovery and she is using her firsthand experiences to help build a recovery friendly workplace.
Shawna's Story
This is Shawna’s story. She used employee assistance counseling sessions to identify and address problems with alcohol misuse. Now she leads workplace efforts to support people in recovery.
Benefits of Participation
Get Guidance and Support
Receive guidance and support from your Recovery Friendly Ambassador (RFA) as you take steps towards implementing recovery friendly practices within your workplace, including free customized staff training and other resources to better support your employees.
Get Connected
Get connected to wellness resources and services.
Retain
Retain a healther, more motivated, and more productive workforce through the delivery of evidence-based health and safety practices.
Receive Designation
Receive designation as a Recovery Friendly Workplace. By joining this initiative, you will send a strong message to your employees and customers about the positive culture of your workplace.
Steps towards becoming a Recovery Friendly Workplace
Work one-on-one with a Recovery Friendly Ambassador to assess business needs and receive a RFW orientation.
Submit a Letter of Intent to make a commitment to become a recovery friendly workplace.
Complete initial required components of the Checklist.
Receive designation as a Recovery Friendly Workplace.
No commitment is needed. Take the first step towards saving lives and lifting the stigma by completing the Recovery Friendly Workplace Letter of Intent.
Contact our Recovery Friendly Workplace Ambassador to learn more about what it means to become a Recovery Friendly Workplace in Nevada.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Recovery Friendly Workplace (RFW) is a business that chooses to go above and beyond for its employees by creating a workplace culture that supports people in recovery from Substance Use Disorder (SUD), as well as all those impacted.
You will have the opportunity to engage in ongoing recovery friendly culture practices and activities, and receive ongoing support from your RFA and Foundation for Recovery.
The checklist was created to provide a simple, straightforward process for businesses and organizations of all sizes to become designated as a Recovery Friendly Workplace.
A Recovery Friendly Ambassador (RFA) is a full-time employee at Foundation for Recovery to support this Initiative. The RFA is a resource to businesses and organizations that wish to become recovery friendly.
Workplaces of all sizes and readiness levels will benefit from participation in this initiative. Resources will include customized training, toolkit, materials, and support. In addition, the Foundation for Recovery staff will ensure workplaces are well connected to community prevention and recovery support services to best support their employees.
There is no cost for a business or organization to become a designated RFW. Services will include support and guidance throughout the entire process.
What is a Recovery Friendly Workplace?
How much does it cost to become a Recovery Friendly Workplace?
What is the Checklist?
What is a Recovery Friendly Ambassador?
What resources are available?
What happens after designation?
Nevada Recovery Friendly Workplaces
Get to know the Nevada employers who are showing their employees and customers they care about mental health in the workplace.
