Every day, people impacted by substance use show up to work, contribute their skills and experience, and help keep businesses and communities running. This year, as both Recovery Month and Labor Day approach, we’re celebrating the contributions of workers and their achievements and reflecting on the role of work in contributing to – or harming – workers’ health. In this spirit, we are excited to launch our new tool to support employers in making their workplace more recovery-supportive.
Every sector and industry is impacted by substance use, and yet, stigma surrounding it can perpetuate the misconception that addiction and recovery are removed from workplace matters. In fact, for many people, work and recovery are closely connected: national data shows that 70% of all adults with a substance use disorder are employed. Employment can be a powerful source of support, providing financial stability as well as a sense of purpose, routine, connection, and belonging that can contribute to long-term wellbeing.
At the same time, the workplace can challenge workers’ ability to stay healthy through demanding schedules, high levels of stress, physical risks, and other challenges that can affect both their mental and physical health. Because of this, employers are uniquely positioned to play a positive role by creating environments where workers feel supported, valued, and able to access help without fear of stigma, discrimination, or retaliation.
A recovery-supportive workplace aims to prevent exposure to workplace factors that could cause or perpetuate a substance use disorder while lowering barriers to seeking care, receiving care, and maintaining recovery.
Recovery-supportive workplaces create a culture that reduces stigma, recognizes multiple pathways of recovery – such as medication for addiction treatment and other clinical support, non-clinical peer support, and self-managed approaches – and centers worker health, which is essential for a productive workforce. While these practices are especially important for people affected by substance use disorders, their benefits extend far beyond a single individual and their loved ones. Recovery-supportive workplaces foster healthier workplace relationships, strengthen employee retention, and benefit the entire workplace environment/functioning.
Stigma remains a challenge in industries across Massachusetts, but workplaces can be part of the solution
The need for recovery-supportive workplaces is especially important in industries that experience higher rates of workplace injury, chronic pain, demanding schedules, substance use culture, and other elevated risk factors for overdose. According to the Massachusetts Department of Health (2024), construction, fishing, transportation, hospitality and food service, and other skilled trades face disproportionate impacts from the opioid crisis. These industries employ hundreds of thousands of workers across Massachusetts and play a critical role in the state’s economy. However, stigma surrounding substance use and recovery in the workplace – in those industries and beyond – can make it harder for workers to seek support when they need it. They may worry that disclosing a substance use concern will affect their job security, professional reputation, or opportunities for advancement. Others may avoid accessing available resources out of fear of being judged by supervisors and coworkers, or because leaving work for treatment may mean no paycheck and a pause in benefits. Some also fear that taking time for their recovery and wellbeing will create more work for their already overstretched team.
Reducing stigma and fostering a culture of support for recovery can help workers feel safer accessing care and remain part of the workforce.
Recovery support in practice
Because every workplace is different, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to creating a recovery-supportive workplace. In practice, recovery support can take many forms, including policies that promote worker wellbeing and reduce discriminatory practices, training that helps supervisors and employees better understand substance use and recovery, and efforts to increase awareness of and connection to available benefits and resources.
Many of these practices are closely aligned with broader workplace health, safety, and wellbeing initiatives. Efforts that aim to keep workers safe on the job and prioritize work-life balance and employee engagement can benefit workers in recovery and others affected by substance use disorders, including family members, friends, and colleagues.
Recovery support is still a relatively new area of focus for many industries and organizations. In an era when many employers are focused on recruitment and retention, creating a supportive workplace culture is not only a health issue but also a strong workforce strategy.
A new resource for Massachusetts employers
Workplace leaders and decision-makers may recognize the importance of supporting workers affected by substance use disorders but can be uncertain about how to act. To support employers and workers, BeHERE Workplace developed the Recovery-Supportive Workplace Assessment. The assessment is designed to help workplaces assess their current policies and practices and provide actionable resources like worker questionnaires, training offerings, and statewide substance use resources to support implementation.
Creating a recovery-supportive workplace is not a single policy change or training session. It is an ongoing commitment to building workplace cultures where workers feel supported, valued, and able to thrive. As employers across the state continue to invest in worker wellbeing, recovery-supportive practices offer an opportunity to strengthen workplaces, support communities, and improve health for everyone.
Explore our BeHERE RSW Self-Assessment and Resource Library.