Swedish private-sector employees’ experiences of promoting and hindering factors for working while having mental health problems: A qualitative study

Promoting and hindering factors occurred at multiple levels. Fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment where there is space for enjoyment can help employees manage mental health problems at work. Other promoting factors include having an active and present manager, reasonable production goals, and leisure-time physical activity. Employees who perceive the cause of their symptoms to be related to their private life tend not to seek help from the workplace, despite the impact on their work. This should be considered in the development of future interventions. Our study supports a life-course perspective on the understanding of how employees experience promoting and hindering factors for working while having mental health problems.