New research involving a St Mary’s academic is calling for greater organisational responsibility in protecting workplace mental health, as part of this year’s International Labour Day.
Dr Arlinda Cerga Pashoja, Associate Professor in Psychology and Director of the Research Centre for Applied Health and Wellbeing at St Mary’s University, has contributed to a study from the PROSPERH project. The research has identified significant gaps in how organisations address psychosocial risks such as work-related stress, heavy workloads, and mental health challenges.
The systematic review, published in the International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, found that organisational-level interventions - those focused on working conditions, job design, and management practices - can lead to measurable improvements in employee mental health. However, the evidence remains limited across many sectors.
The strongest findings were in healthcare, where studies consistently reported reductions in burnout, stress, and depressive symptoms. The research suggests that changes such as improved leadership support, better workload management, and redesigned work processes can have a meaningful impact on staff wellbeing.
By contrast, there is far less evidence in sectors such as construction and remote or telework-based roles. Researchers highlight this as a significant gap, particularly as new ways of working continue to evolve.
The study also raises questions about how long the benefits of workplace interventions last, pointing to the need for sustained organisational commitment rather than one-off initiatives.
Dr Arlinda Cerga Pashoja is the UK Principal Investigator for the project. She said:
“Too often, workplace mental health is reduced to asking individuals to be more resilient, while the real problems lie in how work is organised. Our findings show that when employers redesign workloads, leadership practices, and work processes, employees’ mental health can genuinely improve – but this kind of organisational change is still the exception rather than the norm. International Labour Day is a reminder that protecting workers’ mental and physical health must be built into the very fabric of every workplace, not added on as a well‑being extra.”
The research also identified emerging evidence that organisational approaches can improve wellbeing in remote and hybrid work settings, including positive effects on mood. As these models become more widespread, the findings underline the importance of adapting workplace health strategies accordingly.
The PROSPERH project - funded through Horizon Europe - is developing practical tools to support employers and policymakers in promoting both mental and physical health at work. Its interventions are currently being tested across 11 countries.
To mark International Labour Day, the project is calling for workplace health to be treated as a core organisational responsibility. PROSPERH is also holding a webinar on 15 May 2026, where four international experts will discuss: Upstream promotion of mental health and physical health in the workplace – Addressing challenges in changing environments. Registrations are now open via this link.