Back to work – returning after burnout

Burnout is a state of chronic emotional, physical and mental exhaustion. This exhaustion is usually triggered by persistent stress on several levels, without any periods of recovery. This throws the relationship between stress and resources out of kilter.

Typical symptoms are sleep disorders, a drop in performance and alienation from work. In the acute phase, the affected person is often no longer able to carry out their tasks. In principle, burnout can affect anyone. With psychological support, there is a good chance of recovery.

Important: Burnout can have similar symptoms to depression, but may be treated differently. It is therefore important to seek specialist medical advice.

In principle, anyone can become mentally ill in the course of their life and, for example, experience burnout. This can go so far that someone is no longer able to work. Young people are increasingly affected: Since 2015, the number of cases in the under-25 age group in the canton of Zurich has almost doubled. According to a recent report on Swiss television, every second new disability insurance pension is now awarded due to a mental illness.

The Obsan National Health Report on Mental Health 2025 states that the mental stress experienced by children, adolescents and young adults has been increasing for several years. The coronavirus pandemic has further intensified this. One fifth of 16- to 25-year-olds report moderate to severe symptoms of depression. 

No matter whether someone is young or old: A mental illness such as burnout is very stressful for the person affected and also challenging for those around them. It is crucial to support the person quickly and effectively so that the disability does not become permanent.

This includes creating prospects for their return to the world of work. After all, a job has many other positive effects in addition to a monthly income: It strengthens self-confidence and the feeling of self-efficacy, promotes social contact, structures a person's daily routine and is ideally a source of joy and meaningfulness.

In Switzerland, there are clear paths to reintegration into the world of work: The cantonal social insurance institutions (SVA) work closely with the state disability insurance (IV). They have numerous offers for affected people: Counseling, coaching, retraining and work trials to support a gradual return to working life. 

Depending on the cause, health or accident insurance may also provide benefits, for example daily allowances, therapy and rehabilitation. Complete medical certificates and adherence to deadlines are important for this. Insurance for daily sickness benefits or the employer's pension fund may also provide support, including a case management service. 

In addition, regional contact points such as psychiatric outpatient clinics, municipal advice centers and health centers, as well as self‑help groups and online communities, help with everyday life and offer emotional support.

As an employer, you play a decisive role when it comes to a person's return to work. You can make it much easier for the person concerned to return and can help them to feel better in the long term with your support.

Tip: If your insurance permits, ask about the possibility of case management or, for prevention, corporate health management.

• Case management offers individual support for the person concerned on their way back to working life. It coordinates between the client, employer, SVA, physicians and private insurers, provides support in drawing up reintegration plans and, if necessary, organizes work trials. 
• The aim of corporate health management (CHM) is to create healthy working conditions at a preventive level, e.g. through preventive measures and customized training. 
• Create transparency: Define clear roles in order to reliably help and support the person concerned. Use reintegration plans, targets and milestones. At the same time, always handle health data sensitively and maintain confidentiality.
• Take a long-term perspective: Focus on sustainable ability to work instead of a quick fix. This means that you regularly review the return-to-work plan, adjust it if necessary and also provide support with professional reorientation.
• Show appreciation and respect: Anyone who braves the return to work is overcoming their own boundaries. This achievement deserves recognition.

• Attentiveness: Be alert to warning signs and don't be afraid to approach stressed employees in a sensitive manner and offer your support.
• Openness: Create a culture in which problems, challenges and mental illnesses can and may be discussed openly.
• Support: Take the pressure off employees in challenging phases of their lives, e.g. through workplace adjustments, flexible working hours or reduced tasks. People who are supported by the team are more resilient in the face of personal and professional challenges.

There are many possibilities, for example these:

• Gradual return: The person concerned starts with, for example, 20 to 50 percent and then gradually increases their workload. A work trial with a clearly defined duration is also possible. It is important to observe individual resilience limits.
• Job adjustments: Tasks, working hours or the place of work are altered so that they are less stressful. The most important activities are defined in order to avoid excessive demands.
• Role change / reorientation: The person switches to a less stressful role and, if necessary, completes retraining or targeted further training.
  Part-time combined with further training / coaching: The person combines a reduced workload with a skills upgrade and thus creates new prospects.
• Flexible working: Flexitime, home office options and supporting tools enable a better balance between relaxation and work requirements.
• Re-entry plan: The person concerned defines milestones, responsibilities and evaluation points with their manager, Human Resources department and case manager. 

In any case, it is important to record all agreements in writing. This provides security for everyone involved.

• IV – disability insurance: www.ahv-iv.ch
• Pro Mente Sana: www.promentesana.ch
• Health Promotion Switzerland – materials and offers for stress prevention: www.gesundheitsfoerderung.ch
• berufsberatung.ch – support with career questions, reorientation and retraining: www.berufsberatung.ch
• Reintegration with SVA/IV – here for example Zurich: www.zurich.ch/de/ueber-uns/jobs-und-karriere/reintegration
• RAV / arbeit.swiss – information on job placement and support for re-entry: www.arbeit.swiss

• A treatment plan is drawn up after a consultation with a specialist. This usually includes psychotherapy and, if necessary, medication or rehabilitation.
• Inform your employer about your sick leave. They may provide you with a case manager who will support you individually.
• When you are feeling better again, you can agree a phased return-to-work plan with your line manager and the Human Resources department. Record what you have agreed together in writing.
• Clarify your social and financial security: Check what benefits you are entitled to from health and accident insurance, IV and SVA. Find out about deadlines, necessary proof and medical certificates, and document all important papers.
• Make use of support services: These can be private individuals, specialists from SVA/IV and regional contact points or a case manager who is deployed via your employer's insurance company.
• Create a daily structure and pay attention to self-care: Set yourself realistic goals, pay attention to sleep and exercise, maintain social contacts as far as possible and only gradually increase your workload.
• Contact professional help immediately in the event of an acute crisis.

Mental illness can affect anyone. If you have the courage and strength to return to work after a long period of inability to work, you deserve respect and recognition. You can do something good for yourself with these behaviors:

• Plan small, realistic steps on your route to your goal.
• Create a clear daily structure, make sure you get enough sleep and exercise, and eat healthily.
• Actively seek social support.
• Listen to your inner voice: What is good for you – and what is not?
• Be aware of your successes and milestones and celebrate them.
• Seek professional help if anxiety, persistent sleep problems or a sense of hopelessness are severely restricting your everyday life. 
• In an acute crisis, contact an emergency hotline.

Emergency hotlines are available around the clock for crisis responses or acutely dangerous situations. Typically in Switzerland:

• Emergency number 144 – medical emergency in the healthcare sector; multilingual, quickly accessible.
• Dargebotene Hand 143 – free, anonymous crisis counseling around the clock (mental health crises, suicidal thoughts, emotional stress).
• Emergency number 112 – Europe-wide emergency number for acutely dangerous situations (fire/rescue/police).
• For young people: 147 (Switzerland) – telephone and chat counseling especially for young people.
• Mental health crises outside the emergency room: Regional psychiatric emergency services or cantonal crisis centers.