Background: To evaluate the efficacy of a multidisciplinary stress treatment programme. Methods: General practitioners referred 198 employed patients on sick leave with symptoms of persistent work-related stress. Using a waitlisted randomised controlled trial design, the participants were randomly divided into the following three groups: the intervention group (IG, 69 participants); treatment-as-usual control group (TAUCG, 71 participants), which received 12 consultations with a psychologist, and the waitlisted control group (WLCG, 58 participants). The stress treatment intervention consisted of nine 1-hour sessions conducted over 3 months. The goals of the sessions were the following: (1) identifying relevant stressors; (2) changing the participant's coping strategies; (3) adjusting the participant's workload and tasks, and (4) improving workplace dialogue. Each participant also attended a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) course for 2 h a week over 8 weeks. Results: The IG and TAUCG showed significantly greater symptom level (Symptom Check List 92) reductions compared to the WLCG. Regarding the return to work (RTW) rate, 67% of participants in the IG returned to full-time work after treatment, which was a significantly higher rate than in the TAUCG (36%) and WLCG (24%). Significantly more participants in the IG (97%) increased their working hours during treatment compared with the participants in the control groups, TAUCG (71%) and WLCG (64%). Conclusions: The stress treatment programme - a combination of work place-focused psychotherapy and MBSR - significantly reduced stress symptom levels and increased RTW rates compared with the WLCG and TAUCG.

Organizations should aim to provide support for line managers. Research-based knowledge and guidelines on work-related stress and return to work process are essential, as is the involvement of coworkers. A commonly accepted definition of stress and a systematic risk assessment is also important. Cross-pressure on line managers should be minimized and room for adequate preventive actions should be provided as such an approach could support both the return to work process and the implementation of important interventions in the work environment. Implication for rehabilitation Organizations should aim to provide support for line managers handling the return to work process. Cross-pressure on line managers should be minimized and adequate preventive actions should be provided in relation to the return to work process. Research-based knowledge and guidelines on work-related stress and return to work are essential. A common and formal definition of stress should be emphasized in the workplace.

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The aim of this study was to determine the association between intergenerational workplace climate (attitudes, feelings, and perceptions about workers of different ages in the workplace) and self-perceived aging, work engagement, and turnover intention. A cross-sectional study was conducted via an online survey including answers from a representative sample of 1571 individuals aged 18–74 years, living and working in Denmark. In line with our hypotheses, we found that a more positive intergenerational workplace climate was related to a better self-perceived aging as well as to more work engagement and less turnover intention. In addition, we found that these associations were similar in all age groups. The findings point to the potential benefits of initiatives aimed at strengthening the intergenerational climate in workplaces.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a group based multidisciplinary stress treatment program on reductions in symptom levels and the return to work (RTW) rate. Methods: General practitioners referred 199 patients with persistent work related stress symptoms to the project. The inclusion criteria included being employed and being on sick leave. Using a randomized wait-list control design, the participants were randomized into three groups: the intervention group (IG, 70 participants) was treated using the Stress Therapy Concept of Kalmia, which consists of an integrative approach of group psychotherapy for 2.5 hours per week and Basic Body Awareness Therapy (BBAT) with mindfulness meditation for 1.5 hours per week, which runs in a parallel process supplemented with workplace dialogue; the treatment-as-usual control group (TAUCG, 71 participants), who received 12 consultations with a psychologist; and the wait-listed control group (WLCG, 58 participants). Treatment in the IG and the TAUCG lasted 10 and 12 weeks, respectively. Results :Reductions in symptom levels (as measured by scores on the SCL92) were significantly larger in the IG (Cohen´s d= 0.73) and TAUCG compared to the WLCG. Further, the prevalence of depression declined significantly in the IG and the TAUCG compared to the WLCG. Regarding the RTW rate, 66% of the participants in the IG had returned to full time work after three months. This rate was significantly greater than the percentage in the TAUCG (36%) and the WLCG (24%). Conclusion : The stress treatment program significantly reduced symptom levels and increased the RTW rate in the IG compared to the TAUCG and the WLCG.