Lisbon, May 15, 2026 (Lusa) - The authors of a new report on Portuguese working environments have warned that their analysis may conceal a "silent adaptation" to high levels of stress and exhaustion among employees.
The specialists from the Portuguese Lab of Healthy Workplaces (Labpats) report, which Lusa reviewed on Friday, said that the challenge for organisations is no longer merely recognising the importance of well-being, but rather translating it into actual decisions, practices, and conditions that restore safety and confidence to professionals.
The data shows that those working in medium- and large-sized companies exhibit more protective factors in a healthy working environment.
As for mental health, 37.6% of workers say they feel lonely, but over half (55.5%) say they are happy.
Over 85% have at least one symptom of burnout, and 41% have four symptoms (physical exhaustion, emotional exhaustion, irritability and sadness).
Regarding workers’ perception of their ability to manage stressful situations, over half (56.1%) say they are unable to control the things that are important in their lives, and 49.5% feel that difficulties have piled up to the point where they are unable to overcome them.
As for lifestyle, one in five respondents smokes, 39.5% drink more than two alcoholic drinks a day, 5.8% use amphetamines or stimulants, and over 30% take psychotropic medication.
Professionals call for better work organisation, more staff, greater predictability, breaks, recovery time, and leaders who are more approachable and better prepared.
“Leadership should also have time, because to lead effectively, you need to be with people, get to know people, keep up with people, and be able to manage the work,” said psychologist Tânia Gaspar, coordinator of the study.
As founder of Labpats, she highlighted the importance of assertiveness and accountability: “Leaders must take stock and consider whether their team is capable, in terms of competence and ability to deliver, and convey this to staff and senior management.”
“Sometimes, emotional distance or hostility stems from a sense of powerlessness (…). Often, leaders’ behaviour is simply a reflection of their own inability,” she added.
The report’s authors highlighted the need for more transparent communication in the workplace, greater fairness, recognition, better physical and ergonomic conditions, and the effective integration of mental health into the organisation’s policies.
"Rather than isolated requests, these proposals form a coherent agenda to make work more dignified, sustainable and humane," the report’s authors said.
Labpats studies the health and well-being of professionals and organisations, helping define policies that impact their health, well-being, and the healthy, sustainable development of professionals and organisations.
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