Examine Facilitators and Barriers to Return to Work (RTW) for Employees with Common Mental Disorder (CMD) Symptoms: A Multi-Stakeholder Qualitative Study.

Returning to work (RTW) following sickness absence due to common mental disorder (CMD) symptoms, such as anxiety, depression and stress, is increasingly recognised as a critical yet complex phase of recovery. Despite this, individuals do not always experience the process as supportive or straightforward. This study explored the factors shaping RTW by examining the perspectives of service users, employment advisors (EAs) and human resource (HR) professionals. In a qualitative study, using purposive sampling, we recruited 17 participants across the three stakeholder groups. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. The findings suggest that RTW is shaped by a dynamic interplay between individual experiences, workplace relationships and organisational structures. Participants described returning to work as an ongoing and often uncertain process, influenced by shifts in confidence, expectations of support and the extent to which workplaces were able to respond flexibly to individual needs. While some accounts reflected collaborative and supportive environments, others highlighted disconnection, misalignment and unmet expectations across stakeholders. Overall, the findings point to RTW as a negotiated process, requiring alignment between employees, managers and organisational systems. The study highlights the importance of consistent, flexible and context-sensitive approaches to support sustainable RTW following CMD-related absence.