Becoming a Recovery Friendly Workplace - Workforce Development and Adult Learning

Maryland’s Recovery Friendly Workplace (RFW) pilot utilizes a “tiered” approach for employers. While MD Labor encourages all employers to engage at the highest tier, this structure allows employers the opportunity to engage with the Recovery Friendly Workplace model at a pace that fits within their current capacity.

To participate, employers must, at a minimum, commit to completing a brief online survey and connecting with their local Recovery Friendly Advisor. From there, employers may commit to participating in activities in one of four tiers. Depending on which tier a participating employer begins their work, they are able to advance forward through the tiers as capacity and interest allows.

The key activity areas are:

Updating/creating policies and/or practices addressing hiring, retention, and support of employees with an opioid or other substance use disorder;
Stigma-reducing education programming for the workplace;
Participation in research/data collection efforts related to Recovery Friendly Workplaces, such as completion of a more extensive survey evaluation; and,
Providing naloxone training for employees and having naloxone present in the workplace.

View the RFW Activities Area Guide that falls within each area.

The tiers are as follows:

Platinum – Completing a brief online survey, connecting with a Recovery Friendly Advisor, and committing to adopting at least three key program activities;
Gold – Completing the brief online survey, connecting with a Recovery Friendly Advisor, and committing to adopting two key program activities;
Silver – Completing the brief online survey, connecting with a Recovery Friendly Advisor and committing to adopting one key program activity; and,
Bronze – Completing the brief online survey and connecting with a Recovery Friendly Advisor.

Getting Started

If you are ready to learn more about Recovery Friendly Workplaces and how you can participate, please send an email to: dlwdalRFW-labor@maryland.gov and include the county or counties where you and/or your business is located.

Recovery Friendly Workplace-Designated Businesses

The following businesses have completed the required steps to obtain designation as a Recovery Friendly Workplace in Maryland. The Maryland Department of Labor commends them on their ongoing participation and commitment to the program.