Stress Leave

Stress is a part of life, but when it becomes unmanageable and interferes with your ability to perform your job, it may be time to consider taking a stress leave.

“One of the options available to individuals who are feeling overwhelmed by workplace difficulties or stress is to go on what is often called a stress leave, perhaps more accurately referred to as a disability leave,” says Dr. Dan Bilsker, a psychologist at Vancouver General Hospital and a consultant to a mental health services research group (CARMHA) at Simon Fraser University. “The individual needs to sit down with their healthcare provider in making that decision, and look at the pros and cons of being absent from work.”

If you do take a stress leave, it can be beneficial because:

• You're away from workplace stressors
• You have time to focus on recovery activities
• You won't be placed in a position where you might endanger your safety or that or your coworkers

However, one of the problems with taking a stress leave is becoming what's called “psychologically deconditioned.”

“As a result of taking a disability leave, people may lose confidence in themselves, feel less competent, and be left without a real specific recovery plan,” says Dr. Bilsker. “It's what I call 'staying-at-home-watching-television therapy' and it is not a very good idea. It can worsen depression and intensify anxiety, and make it harder to get work return.”

The key to making a successful comeback to your job is to sit down with your healthcare provider and/or an HR resource person at your company, who can help you make a decision about taking a disability leave. You can weigh the advantages and disadvantages of going on stress leave, talk about the length of time you might be away, and discuss a recovery plan.

Also, while your workplace is entitled to know that you are unable to work due to stress, you don't have to share every private detail of your condition with them. You may, however, need to provide more information about your stress leave to the HR department or the providers of a disability claim.