Promoting job retention and mental health with group interventions in changing organizations

Introduction As changes in work organizations have become an everyday phenomenon, employees are expected to keep up with the requirements of their jobs, healthy and motivated while working longer careers. In this study, company-based resource building group intervention was developed to enhance mental resources, mental health and job retention in work organizations. The in-company group training provided participating employees with better preparedness to manage their own career in changing organizations. The program activities were implemented using an organization-level two-trainer model, which also aimed at strengthening collaboration between human resources management and occupational health services.  

Methods The Towards Successful Seniority -program was developed at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health and tested in 17 organizations. The evaluation study was a randomized controlled field study (RCT) with 718 participants. Participants completed the baseline questionnaire and 3 follow-up surveys during the 1.5 year follow-up. The group program lasted 20 hours during one week.  

Results The results showed that both preparedness for career management, and work-related goals increased significantly just after the intervention. In the 7 month follow-up intervention decreased depressive symptoms and intentions of early retirement, and increased psychological resources. These effects were most pronounced among those who had elevated symptoms of depression at baseline. In a 1.5 year follow-up the effects of the intervention on depressive symptoms prevailed in the risk groups. Mediation analyses showed that the beneficial effects of the intervention were caused by the proximal increases in career management preparedness.  

Discussion The results of this study show that employees'' preparedness for work career management can be strengthened in work changing work organisations and that this has a beneficial impact on employees longer term career and mental health. Collaboration between HR and OHS can be recommended on actions aimed at early prevention of problems related to transitions.