Burnout at Work: How to Call in Sick?

2024-08-23 10:30:00

According to statistics from the Health Monitoring Institute, nearly 480,000 French employees suffer from psychological distress at work, and 7% of them, or 30,000, experience burnout.

What is burnout?

in his works The world of work has gone crazyOccupational physician Dr. Marielle Dumortier gives the example of Louise, a sales representative for a company that sells hair cosmetics. ” Long workdays ensue. In the evening, she said she went to bed late after she and her husband had finished doing housework and had to deal with administrative work. Louise was tired and said that on days when she wasn’t working, she would take the children from one activity to another in a taxi. {..} One morning, she was going to the headquarters for a meeting. Arriving at the parking lot, Louise couldn’t get out of the car: “I was like glued to the car seat, I started crying and I called my husband who came to pick me up. » Her doctor stopped her for a few days, she said She spent several days in bed, unable to get out of bed, and then Louise resumed her activities for three months before having to stop again. »

Burnout is ” and physical, emotional and mental exhaustion This is the result of long-term investment in a demanding work environment », describes occupational psychologist and researcher Wilmar Schaufeli and psychology professor Esther Greenglass.

an often overused term

“Today, the word is often overused, said medical consultant Dr. Luc Goupil. Once we experience temporary fatigue and our doctor tells us to stop for two weeks, we tend to say we’re exhausted. However, burnout is a serious and diverse symptom that requires long-term and complex treatment. »

Fatigue, stress, overwork: What are the symptoms of burnout?

Burnout is a syndrome that leads to more or less noticeable manifestations of progressive and insidious installations:

Anxiety, irritability, sadness or lack of enthusiasm, memory or attention problems, difficulty concentrating, withdrawal, social isolation, reduced empathy, addictive behaviors (excessive drinking or smoking), signs of depersonalization. ” For example, a warm and generous person can become cynical and cold », medical advisor explains; fatigue (weakness), sleep disorders, musculoskeletal disorders (low back or neck pain), gastrointestinal disorders (stomach pain, stomachache, etc.)

We all experience stress, it’s biological. On the other hand, when we feel chronically anxious, it becomes worrisome, which can lead to burnout and even burnout in the final stages. Dr. Luc Goupil, Medical Consultant.

What are the risk factors?

Today, psychosocial risk factors that may contribute to burnout are well understood:

Overloaded work, vague mission, unrealistic goals; significant emotional demands in the face of pain and death. For example, among nursing or social workers; lack of autonomy and room for maneuver in companies; harmful management, interpersonal conflicts: fear of losing salary, fear of losing job;

Who is most at risk of burnout? Is there any risk profile?

People who are most prone to burnout are usually perfectionist and committed to the quality of their work. ” Employees at risk for burnout are Staff are very dedicated and who faces Degradation of organizational environment”, Dr. Marielle Dumortier confirms this in her work. They always tend to get ahead of themselves, regardless of the pain signals their body is sending them. » Dr. Luc Goupil added: ” These people can make good soldiers, work for years, endure, persevere, and then suddenly clinical decompensation and burned. »

Burnout: When and Who to Consult?

Burnout is a syndrome that requires diagnostic methods to characterize its severity. If you develop symptoms that affect your professional and personal life, it is recommended to consult your GP, occupational doctor or psychiatrist.

Doctors, psychiatrists: How to take sick leave? Can a psychologist make a judgment call?

Only doctors (general practitioners, psychiatrists, occupational doctors) have the authority to issue stop-work orders. Psychologists refer patients to general practitioners. ” Management of burnout must be multidisciplinary, with the attending physician coordinating care and support and, if necessary, directing the patient to see an occupational physician, psychiatrist or psychotherapist, Dr. Gupil explains. Health insurance medical advisors justify extended working holidays and review requests for recognition of occupational diseases. Sometimes, social workers can also assist when patients are at risk of career collapse. »

What is the average length of downtime due to burnout?

LDuration of work stoppage due to burnout Depends on the severity of the situation, the patient’s health and the advice of the treating physician. ” Support is complicated”, says Dr. Luc Goupil. This is a true patient-centered team effort. This treatment requires ongoing support and care for weeks or even months. For example, in severe illnesses, patients may benefit from twice-monthly consultations with a psychiatrist. »

And added: ” Conversely, the danger during downtime is also cysts. This is why a good dose is needed so that people can gradually resume professional activities by adjusting their workstations or even establishing therapeutic part-time employment. » Better stress management, for example with the help of a psychologist, and respecting the balance between work and personal life are also part of the solution…

For patients who have already experienced burnout, risk of recurrence It’s 28%. Hence the importance of being well supported when returning to work…

What steps should be taken?

When your primary care physician calls in sick due to burnout, You must notify your employer within 48 hours. « You must send your employer a medical certificate filled out by your treating physician indicating the date and reason for the suspension, and Forms No. 1 and 2 to your Social Security Organization. », reminder of national service.

How do you get paid when you take time off due to burnout? What is the per diem and the impact on salary?

When you leave work, you will receive:

Daily allowance for health insurance. « Their amount is equivalent to 50% of your basic daily salary (in some cases up to 66.66%)designated National Health Insurance Fund (CNAM). The amount is subject to an annual cap based on the minimum wage. »and possible wage subsidies provided for in the collective agreement And it depends on the employee’s situation. This amount is added to the daily allowance, up to a maximum of 100% of initial salary.

Burnout: Should you resign or negotiate a traditional layoff?

Don’t you want to return to professional activities after burnout? You can choose to resign or request a conventional termination. But be careful, Quitting due to burnout does not allow you to collect unemployment benefits or severance pay. It’s best to try and negotiate a traditional termination with your employer if possible…

1724410518
#Burnout #Work #Call #Sick