Recovery Friendly Workplace

The 8th District Court of the State of Michigan became a Recovery Friendly Workplace because supporting recovery aligns closely with its work in behavioral health and substance use disorder services. Eric Horwood, Probation Supervisor, shared that if the organization is committed to improving the lives of clients, it should also uphold those same values for its staff. He emphasized that recovery depends on a strong foundation, and employment is an important part of that foundation. As Horwood explained, “Being more inclusive and understanding in our workplace helps remove barriers and improves our lives.”

He described the process of becoming a Recovery Friendly Workplace as simple, straightforward, and accessible. It did not involve any cost, and the support from the Recovery Friendly Workplace team helped make the process easy to navigate. Since becoming an RFW, the organization has not needed to make major policy changes because its workplace culture was already fairly progressive and welcoming. However, Horwood noted one meaningful shift: some staff members have felt more comfortable talking openly about family experiences with substance use disorder, which he sees as a positive step toward greater inclusivity. For other organizations considering the initiative, his message is clear: “Make it happen! It is worth it for your organization.”