Barriers and facilitators to participation in interventions for employee health and wellbeing in the university context

University employees experience high levels of work-related stress and burnout, yet despite an abundance of interventions, participation remains low and they don't reach those who need them most. This study identified major stressors in the university environment and barriers and facilitators to participation in wellbeing interventions, focussing on differences between academic and support staff. Utilising a Delphi-style methodology, the research included semi-structured interviews and focus groups, followed by a ranking questionnaire to identify and evaluate the most significant stressors, barriers, and facilitators. Data were collected from 38 employees from a Dutch university. Major findings indicate that organisational policies, high workload, and lack of autonomy were prevalent stressors. Workload was a universal barrier, while time and perceived need facilitated participation. Differences were observed across academic and support staff. The study underscores the importance of tailored intervention strategies that address the specific needs of employee groups to increase participation in wellbeing programs.