On May 28, Michael C. Barnes, Esq., Principal Attorney at Sequel Legal and Senior Advisor to the National Recovery Friendly Workplace Institute (the Institute), presented the first-ever national Recovery Friendly Workplace (RFW) certification program. The Institute, an initiative of the non-profit Global Recovery Initiatives Foundation, is dedicated to equipping employers to become recovery supportive workplaces. This presentation provided the Institute’s definition of a “Recovery Friendly Workplace,” aiming to create uniformity in the RFW space, and detailed the criteria for becoming a nationally certified recovery friendly employer in 2024.
The 2024 RFW certification emphasizes key areas that foster a supportive workplace environment: culture, hiring, retention and advancement, benefits, and education and awareness. The certification process involves submitting an application, undergoing eligibility verification, and a final review. Once certified, organizations benefit from the use of the RFW logo, online listings, joint news releases, digital marketing support, and participation in the Institute's Certified RFW Council. RFW Certification serves as an emblem of distinction for employers that create a supportive environment for their employees and helps attract and retain top talent.
Watch the presentation here.
Learn more about the Institute and 2024 RFW certification here.