Burnout at work: how to get sick leave?
According to the French Institute for Public Health Surveillance, nearly 480,000 French employees are suffering from psychological distress at work, including 7% suffering from burnout, or 30,000 people.
What is burnout?
In his work The world of work has gone crazyDr. Marielle Dumortier, occupational physician, mentions the example of Louise, a sales representative in a hair cosmetics sales company. Long working days follow one another. In the evening, after having done the household chores that she says she shares with her husband, she has to manage her administrative work, she goes to bed late. Louise is tired, on the day she does not work, she says she drives the children from one activity to another. {..} One morning, she has to go to the headquarters for a meeting. Arriving in the parking lot, Louise cannot get out of her car: “It was as if I was glued to the seat of my car, I started crying, I called my husband who came to get me.” Her doctor signs her off for a few days, she says she spent her days in bed, unable to get up, then Louise resumes her activities. She lasts three months, then has to stop again. »
Burnout is “ A physical, emotional and mental exhaustion which results from prolonged investment in demanding work situations “, describe Wilmar Schaufeli, work psychologist-researcher and Esther Greenglass, professor of psychology.
A term that is too often overused
“Today, the term is too often overused, says Dr. Luc Goupil, medical advisor. As soon as we feel temporary fatigue and the doctor signs us off for a fortnight, we tend to say that we have had a burnout. However, burnout is a serious and varied symptomatology requiring long and complex treatment. »
Fatigue, stress, overwork: what are the symptoms of burnout?
Burnout is a syndrome that results in more or less significant manifestations of progressive and insidious onset:
- anxiety, irritability, sadness or lack of enthusiasm, memory or attention problems, difficulty concentrating;
- withdrawal, social isolation, decreased empathy, addictive behaviors (excessive alcohol or tobacco consumption), signs of depersonalization. For example, a warm and generous person will become cynical and cold. “, explains the medical advisor;
- fatigue (asthenia), sleep disorders, musculoskeletal disorders (back pain such as lumbago or neck pain), gastrointestinal disorders (stomach aches, stomach pains, etc.)
We are all subject to stress, it is physiological. On the other hand, it becomes worrying when we feel chronic anxiety which can then lead to professional exhaustion, or even, in the ultimate stage, to burn-out. Dr Luc Goupil, medical advisor.
What are the risk factors?
Today, the psychosocial risk factors that can lead to burnout are clearly identified:
- work overload, vagueness of missions, unrealistic objectives;
- significant emotional demands with confrontation with suffering, death. For example, among caregivers or social workers;
- lack of autonomy and room for maneuver in his work;
- degraded social relations in the company, deleterious management, interpersonal conflicts;
- conflicts of values;
- job insecurity: fear of loss of wages, fear of losing one's job.
Who are the people most exposed to burnout? Are there risk profiles?
People most at risk of burnout are often perfectionists and committed to the quality of their work. Employees at risk of burnout are: employees highly committed to their work and who are faced with a degraded organizational contextconfirms Dr. Marielle Dumortier in her work. They tend to always push themselves beyond their limits without taking into account the signals of suffering that their body sends them. “And Dr. Luc Goupil added: ” These personalities can be good soldiers, work for years, suffer, hold out and suddenly clinically decompensate and burn out. »
Burn-out: when and who to consult?
Burnout is a syndromic set that requires a diagnostic approach in order to characterize its severity. In the event of symptoms impacting one's professional and personal life, it is advisable to consult one's doctor, occupational physician or a psychiatrist.
Doctor, psychiatrist: how to get a work stoppage? Can a psychologist take a work stoppage?
Only doctors (general practitioners, psychiatrists, occupational physicians) are authorized to issue a work stoppage. The psychologist, for his part, will rather refer the patient to a general practitioner. Burnout management must be multidisciplinary with the treating physician who coordinates care and management, and if necessary refers the patient to the occupational physician, a psychiatrist or a psychotherapist, explains Dr. Goupil. The health insurance medical advisor justifies the extension of work stoppage and examines applications for recognition as an occupational disease. Sometimes, when the patient is at risk of professional reintegration, a social worker can also contribute. »
What is the average length of a work stoppage due to burnout?
Lthe duration of a work stoppage due to burnout depends on the severity of the situation, the patient's health and the recommendations of the treating physician. Support is complexsays Dr. Luc Goupil. It is truly a team effort with the patient at the center. This care requires support and care that will last several weeks or even months. In serious disorders, the patient can, for example, benefit from two monthly consultations with a psychiatrist. »
And to add: ” On the contrary, the danger is also the encystment in a situation of work stoppage. This is why a good dosage is necessary so that the person gradually returns to professional activity by adjusting their position or even setting up therapeutic part-time work. » Better stress management, for example with the help of a sophrologist, and respect for the balance between work and personal life are also part of the solutions…
In patients who have already had burnout, the risk of recurrence is 28%. Hence the importance of being well supported when returning to work…
What steps should I take?
When your doctor prescribes sick leave for burnout, You must inform your employer within 48 hours. ” You must justify this information by sending your employer sheet no. 3 of the medical certificate drawn up by your treating physician specifying the dates and reasons for the work stoppage and send sheets no. 1 and no. 2 to your social security organization. “, state services remind us.
How do you get paid when you are on leave due to burnout? What are the daily allowances and the impact on salary?
When you are on sick leave, you receive:
- daily benefits from health insurance. ” They are made up of an amount that represents 50% of your daily base salary (up to 66.66% in certain situations)specifies the National Health Insurance Fund (CNAM). This amount is limited by a ceiling defined each year based on the minimum wage. »
- as well as any additional salary as provided for in your collective agreement and depending on the employee's situation. This amount is added to the daily allowances to reach a maximum of 100% of the initial salary.
Burnout: should you resign or negotiate a mutual termination agreement?
You do not wish to return to work after your burnout? You have the option of resigning or requesting a mutual termination. But be careful, A resignation due to burnout does not entitle you to unemployment benefits or severance pay. It is better, if possible, to try to negotiate a mutual termination agreement with your employer…