RECOVERY FRIENDLY WORKPLACES
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 Initiative and Global Recovery Initiatives Foundation.
Build a Workplace Where People Can Thrive
Substance use disorder, addiction, and recovery are already part of every workplace - even when no one is talking about them.
VAMHAR’s Recovery Friendly Workplace program helps Vermont employers create cultures where these experiences are met with dignity, understanding, accountability, and practical support. Through guided learning, useful resources, and a clear pathway to certification, organizations strengthen their workplaces for everyone.
Take the first step by completing a Letter of Interest.
What Does a Becoming a Recovery Friendly Workplace Look Like?
A Recovery Friendly Workplace strengthens its culture, policies, practices, and resources to support current and prospective employees in recovery or otherwise affected by substance use disorder.
Being recovery friendly does not mean lowering expectations or asking managers to become counselors. It means creating an environment where compassion and accountability work together—where expectations are clear, support is accessible, and people can address challenges without being defined by them.
Many employers are already doing some of this. The program helps organizations recognize what is working, identify opportunities for growth, and build a more consistent approach.
A Practical Path to Certification
Becoming a Recovery Friendly Workplace is a process of learning, reflection, and practical change. VAMHAR offers a structured but flexible path that helps each organization build on what it already does well and identify meaningful opportunities for growth.
The program combines self-paced learning and practical tools with live cohort conversations. Participating leaders learn with and from other Vermont employers, share ideas and experiences, and become part of a growing community of organizations working toward healthier workplace cultures.
Along the way, participating employers:
Explore their organization’s starting point.
Learn through foundational training and guided reflection.
Build by strengthening workplace culture, policies, benefits, resources, and practices.
Certify and continue growing by demonstrating progress and renewing certification every two years.
The process is designed to work across organizations of different sizes, industries, workforces, and capacities, with guidance and support from VAMHAR throughout.
Designed for Vermont Employers
The program is open to Vermont employers of all sizes and across all industries. There is no single model that every organization must follow - and no expectation that a workplace already have everything figured out.
Certification recognizes intentional progress, not perfection.
Every Workplace Starts Somewhere
Whether your organization is beginning to explore this work or is ready to pursue certification, the first step is to complete a simple expression of interest.
Have questions before getting started? Check out the Program Details, Frequently Asked Questions, and Certification Requirements.
Completing this form is the first step in becoming a certified Recovery Friendly Workplace in Vermont, and will prompt a meeting with our Recovery Friendly Workplace specialist.
