Why Become RFW

Why Your Employees’ Health Matters

Companies and organizations cannot be competitive without healthy, productive employees. Supporting employees to engage in healthier behaviors keeps a business  productive and reduces costs over time.

Did You Know?

According to several studies:

  • 1 in 12 workers have an untreated substance use disorder
  • Ten to 15% of Ohioans, or 1.15 million to 1.75 million individuals have a life history of a substance use disorder
  • The annual economic impact of substance misuse is estimated to be $249 billion for alcohol misuse and $193 billion for illicit drug use
  • Productivity losses linked to employees who miss work cost employers about $1,685 per employee each year
  • Over 70% of fatal opioid overdoses occur in working aged adults
  • In the U.S. only 1 in 10 people with a substance use disorder obtain treatment
  • Employers can save an average of $8,500 for supporting each employee in recovery from substance use disorder

Benefits of Becoming a RFW

Consider this. A healthier employee population can:

  • Decrease employer health costs
  • Decrease absenteeism
  • Increase productivity and decreases presenteeism
  • Increase employee morale
  • Increase employee recruitment and retention

What Can Employers Do?

Employers can support healthier behaviors and a recovery-friendly work environment through programs & policies that promote better employee health and health outcomes. These programs can be structured according to the financial and human resource capabilities of the business.

Sample activities and policies include:

  • Offering health benefit packages that include substance misuse supports
  • Hosting alcohol-free work activities
  • Developing a second-chance employment policy