Montana’s

Recovery Friendly Workplace

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A Recovery Friendly Workplace (RFW) is a place of work in which the employer, in collaboration with employees, establishes, maintains, and continually enhances policies, practices, and a culture and work environment that are supportive of current and prospective employees in recovery from, or otherwise affected by, substance use disorders.

— National Recovery Friendly Workplace Institute

A Recovery Friendly Workplace…

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Acknowledges

the needs of employees who may be impacted by substance misuse, the process of recovery, and the opportunity to provide a supportive work environment

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Offers Support

to employers and employees, providing opportunities to increase safety and wellness through best practices, policies, and connections to resources.

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Educates

by providing learning opportunities and tools to improve one’s understanding of the disease of substance use disorder, resources and recovery supports.

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Retain Employees

Retain a healthier, more productive, and more motivated workforce with evidence-based programs, policies and Recovery Friendly practices.

Benefits of Being a Recovery Friendly Workplace

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Get Connected

Get connected to local wellness resources and services such as professional counseling, wellness services, local recovery support groups, and more.

Get Guidance and Support

Receive guidance and support from your Recovery Friendly Advisor (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.

Receive Designation

Receive designation as a Recovery Friendly Workplace from Recovery Friendly Montana, and send a strong message to current and potential employees about the positive culture of your workplace.

In a report from the U.S. General Surgeon’s office in 2016 — alcohol misuse cost the U.S. about $249 billion, and illicit drug misuse $193 billion (Office of the Surgeon General, 2016). These are costs of loss productivity of workers and businesses, as well as criminal justice, health care and other related costs. Clearly these costs have likely substantially increased over time.

The Cost of Substance Use

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The National Safety Council has collaborated with an independent research institution, NORC at the University of Chicago, to update "The Real Cost of Substance Use to Employers" tool, originally developed in 2017 with national nonprofit Shatterproof. This cost calculator is an authoritative, easy-to-use tool providing business leaders with specific information about the cost of substance use in their workplace based on size of employee base, industry and state. Click on the logo to find out your cost!

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There are an estimated 87,000 Montanans (2019) who have a substance use disorder, and 92% of them do not receive treatment. How many of them work for you? People who are in recovery and those who struggle with substance use are our employees, our family members, and our friends.