What is a Recovery Friendly Workplace?
A Recovery Friendly Workplace (RFW) is an organization that uses evidence-based policies and practices to unite the entire organization by recognizing recovery from addiction as a strength and by being willing to work intentionally with people in recovery. RFWs reduce stigma, promote mental health and substance-use education, and create clear pathways for employees to seek help, ultimately fostering a safer, healthier, and more productive workforce.
(Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention, 2022; Colorado Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative, 2025)
KEY TERMS
Recovery Friendly Workplace (RFW)
The workplace itself, its policies, culture, and practices that support recovery.
RFW Initiative
A structured program that guides and, in some states, certifies employers through adopting RFW standards, such as recovery-supportive policies, culture, and practices.
Recovery Friendly Leader (RFL)
The structured training program—including those who complete it—that equips workplace leaders on how to effectively bring RFW practices to life, such as initiating supportive conversations and connecting team members to recovery-supportive resources.
Generally, businesses pursue RFW certification by working directly with an advisor through a designated initiative. For a comprehensive list of certification programs, toolkits, technical assistance providers, and other supports, please visit the Resources page on our website.
We are a mission-driven organization empowering leaders with recovery based solutions for businesses to thrive. A Project of the Colorado Nonprofit Development Center, operating as a 501(c)(3).
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