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Introduction: In Norway, the early child education and care (ECEC) sector has the highest sickness absence rate of all sectors. Half of the employees on sick leave indicate that their absence is work-related, which shows a significant potential for prevention. This study aims to evaluate a tailored participatory intervention, in which employees can choose either to address ergonomic or emotional demands by trying to find a ‘just right’ balance in either of the exposures by considering ECEC quality. In so doing, the intervention aims to target the most common reasons for sickness absence, namely musculoskeletal disorders and common mental disorders, i.e., anxiety and depression.

Methods: This study will use a cluster-randomized design with a wait-list control. ECEC institutions form the clusters. At baseline, data collection will consist of questionnaires and sensor-based measures of physical activity and heart rate, and observations of the work environment. This data will be used as input into a workshop in which employees identify their strengths and potential areas for improvement, and in which they develop solutions for the areas of improvement. The workshop and two consequent workplace visits will be facilitated by a consultant. Primary outcomes are the level of physical workload and emotional demands, work-related fatigue, need for recovery, depression and anxiety symptoms, and musculoskeletal pain. Secondary outcomes are awareness of how the work environment and ECEC quality go hand-in-hand, meaningfulness of work, musculoskeletal pain interference with work performance, sickness absence, and ECEC quality. Additionally, a process evaluation will be conducted.

Discussion: This study will evaluate the effect and process of a participatory tailored work environment intervention that aims to promote a better work environment by considering quality in Early education and care (ECEC). The intervention aims to optimise emotional demands or physical workload, and reduce work-related fatigue, musculoskeletal discomfort, and depression and anxiety symptoms ECEC staff. Good working conditions promote employee health and the opportunity to perform well at work. Therefore, the work environment and quality in ECEC go hand-in-hand.