Work packages

WP1 – Building the Knowledge Foundation

WP1.1 – Core Indicators for Stay-at-Work and Return to Work (RTW)

WP leader: Emelie Thern

Goal:
Develop harmonised and scientifically grounded indicators that define and measure sustainable return to work and staying at work.

What we will do:

• Develop core indicators applicable at the individual, workplace, healthcare, and societal levels.
• Engage national and international stakeholders through a Delphi process to build consensus.
• Create a foundation for prediction models, benchmarking, follow-up, and policy analysis.

Impact: These indicators provide a shared framework for research, practice, and decision-making, ensuring everyone speaks the same language when it comes to RTW.

WP1.2 – Improved Prediction of RTW

WP Leader: Ellenor Mittendorfer-Rutz 

Goal:
Enhance the ability to predict RTW outcomes by integrating advanced data and methods.

What we will do:

• Develop robust prognostic models for RTW.
• Integrate individual, work-related, healthcare, and societal factors.
• Apply advanced epidemiological designs and machine learning methods.

Impact: The results will inform practice, education, and innovation, helping to tailor interventions and improve outcomes for diverse occupational groups.

WP2 – The Workplace Perspective

WP2.1 – Supporting Employers in the stay-at-work RTW processes

WP Leader: Katarina Kjellberg 

Goal:
Strengthen employers’ capacity to manage sustainable and effective stay-at-work and RTW processes.

What we will do:

• Study how workplace adaptations are implemented in practice.
• Identify barriers and facilitators for employers in implementing work adaptations.
• Determine which adaptations and supports from employers can prevent sickness absence and promote sustainable RTW.
• Develop practical tools and evidence-based recommendations for employers.

Impact: Empowers workplaces to take an active and informed role in supporting employees’ stay-at-work and RTW.

WP2.2 – Implementing Multifaceted Workplace Strategies

WP Leader: Lydia Kwak 

Goal:
Optimise implementation strategies for preventing mental ill-health and supporting sustainable RTW at the workplace.

What we will do:

• Identify effective combinations of implementation components.
• Test strategies in real-world work environments using adaptive study designs.
• Evaluate adherence, cost-effectiveness, and long-term sustainability.

Impact: Delivers scalable and sustainable solutions that work in everyday practice.

WP3 – Primary Care and Healthcare Systems

WP3.1 – RTW Interventions in Primary Care

WP Leader: Anna Finnes 

Goal:
Test and evaluate work-oriented interventions for patients with common mental health conditions.

What we will do:

• Combine organisational and patient-level interventions in primary care.
• Conduct hybrid evaluations assessing both effectiveness and implementation.
• Follow outcomes related to health, work ability, and sick leave over time.

Impact: Integrates RTW support into routine primary healthcare, bridging the gap between health and work.

WP3.2 – Primary Care’s Role in Equitable RTW Processes

WP Leaders: Emma Brulin and Lisa Holmlund

Goal:
Strengthen equity and coordination in RTW processes for complex cases.

What we will do:

• Analyse RTW practices for individuals with complex health and social needs.
• Study collaboration, professional roles, and assessment practices.
• Identify structural conditions required for equitable processes.
• Conduct realist evaluations to inform scalable system-level solutions.

Impact: Ensures that RTW processes are inclusive and that no groups are systematically left behind.

WP4 – Policy, Systems and Coordination

WP Leader: Theo Bodin 

Goal:
Identify structural gaps in the RTW system and improve coordination between key actors.

What we will do:

• Analyse interactions between healthcare, employers, occupational health services, and the social insurance system.
• Identify underused supports and compensation mechanisms.
• Develop policy recommendations and practical guidance.

Impact: Creates a more coherent and coordinated RTW system, reducing fragmentation and improving outcomes.

WP5 – Innovation

WP Leader: Christina Björklund 

Goal:
Translate evidence from WP1–WP4 into usable and scalable solutions.

What we will do:

• Develop need-driven and user-centred innovations.
• Create digital and organisational tools to support RTW.
• Test, refine, and prepare solutions for large-scale implementation.

Impact: Ensures that research findings lead to real-world impact, making RTW processes more effective and accessible.

WP6 – Education and Knowledge Translation

WP Leaders: Jenny Selander and Emma Brulin

Goal:
Establish a national and international competence hub for RTW.

What we will do:

• Provide education for healthcare professionals, occupational health services, employers, and authorities.
• Develop digital courses, certification programmes, and practice-oriented learning formats.
• Support long-term implementation of evidence-based practices.

Impact: Builds sustainable capacity and ensures long-term societal impact through accessible, high-quality education.