In a column published on December 7 in the Journal du Dimanche, 26 deputies of the majority asked that exhaustion at work, or burn-out, be recognized as an occupational disease.
For the deputies, “this recognition is essential so that the effects of nervous exhaustion at work are borne by those who are responsible for it, that is to say the employers. »
By requesting this status, the deputies wish to “switch the financing” of this burnout syndrome to the Accident at work and occupational diseases (or AP-MT) branch, 97% financed by employer contributions.
“A major issue in our society”
“What is often called burn-out is becoming a major issue in our society in the 21st century, underline the deputies. It is becoming urgent to take stock of this and draw conclusions. This is what we call on the government. »
A study by Technologia, dated January 2014, stated that more than three million assets could be affected by this syndromeburnoutespecially in the private sector.
“Today, one in four employees in the private sector say they have had a serious psychological problem at work, recall the deputies, citing a November 2014 study by the Cegos barometer, based on 1135 employees.
According to the same source, 26% of employees and 22% of managers believe that work was the direct cause of their troubles, with more than 50% saying they experience regular stress at work. »
Burn-out, a heavy weight on the Social Security budget
Burnout is a psychological and emotional disorder that occurs during chronic stress in the context of work. Fatigue, feelings of failure, difficulty concentrating, frustrating and demotivating working conditions are all factors that contribute to the vicious circle leading to burnout.
And to best respond to it, the 26 deputies propose the inclusion of two new elements in the branch of occupational diseases: depression resulting from deep exhaustion, and post-traumatic stress at work.
Currently, a person suffering from burnout can take sick leave, or part-time therapy, financed by the general social security system.
In all, 1 billion euros of Social Security expenditure is allocated to taking charge of the burnoutwithout any employer participation.
Only a few dozen cases per year have their work exhaustion syndrome recognized as an occupational disease. For this, they had to prove that their disorder led to a permanent disability of more than 25%, and that a direct and essential link had been established between their illness and their work.
For MEPs, “it is in everyone’s interest […] that this question should finally be addressed without taboo, with all its implications and consequences. Just as we know that a well-managed company that places all its emphasis on people, knowing how to motivate its employees, is more productive than another, so will the company of tomorrow which will have been able to take the measure the phenomenon of nervous exhaustion […] will gain in efficiency. »
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