Activity Areas - Recovery Friendly Workplace - Workforce Development and Adult Learning

Required Activities

Contribute to ongoing data collection

The following steps are required to complete this activity area:

1. Review the National Safety Council’s Employer Substance Use Cost Calculator and the National Safety Council’s Mental Health Employer Cost Calculator and calculate results for your organization.
2. Email [email protected] to get and complete the Maryland Recovery Friendly Workplace Readiness Questionnaire, and meet with your region’s Recovery Friendly Advisor to review results.
3. Complete orientation with your Recovery Friendly Advisor (include representatives from company leadership and HR).

To recertify for this activity area annually:

1. Email your Recovery Friendly Advisor or [email protected] to get and complete Maryland Recovery Friendly Workplace Designation Renewal Questionnaire.

Provide overdose response training for employees and have naloxone present in the workplace

The following steps are required to complete this activity area:

1. Conduct staff training on overdose response and naloxone administration.
2. Have naloxone on-site and available in one location (e.g. include naloxone in first aid kits).

To recertify for this activity area annually:

1. Provide overdose response refresher class for staff.
2. Replace on-site naloxone supplies when expired or out of stock.

Stigma-reducing programming for the workplace

The following steps are required to complete this activity area:

1. Post information for employees with available resources, such as health and wellness programs, employee resource groups, mentoring and peer recovery support (i.e. in-office or via email/ intranet, whichever is most accessible for employees).
2. Provide stigma-reducing programming for all staff using a list of free training opportunities provided by your Recovery Friendly Advisor that can be offered both in-person and virtually. Provide education to employees about your substance use policies, how to seek help, and available benefits.

To recertify annually:

1. Remind staff about available benefits and how to seek help for substance use and mental health/distress through multiple mediums and in digestible, easy-to-understand ways, with clear instructions on how to access them.

Update/create policies/practices that address hiring, retention, and support of employees with a substance use or mental health disorder.

The following steps are required to complete this activity area:

1. Identify point of contact or several points of contact (individuals, employee resources groups, wellness committees, etc.) who will disseminate RFW-related information to staff.
2. Share current health insurance benefits and other available resources for substance use and/or mental health recovery currently available through your organization, health or wellness programs, or through partnerships with treatment providers.
3. Establish policies to address substance use or mental health issues as a health condition.