Absences from work in Switzerland reach record-high level due to mental health issues: Research

BERN, Switzerland

Never before have absences from work due to mental illness, burnout, post-traumatic disorder, fatigue syndrome, or post-Covid syndrome been higher in Switzerland, with young people affected disproportionately, recent research by a Swiss company suggested.

Figures by Zurich-based insurance firm PK Ruck showed that the prolonged crisis situation of the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the mental balance of many people.

Andreas Heimer, an executive at PK Ruck, told the weekly NZZ am Sonntag that in the Swiss economy, absences from work due to mental illness have reached a record level, 20% higher compared to the previous year.

The insurance company's evaluation is based on data from around 250,000 employees from 6,000 companies in Switzerland.

Heimer, however, said he does not attribute the increase solely to the pandemic, and that the rise in figures reflects a "structural trend."

The phenomenon affects many young people, according to the figures. In the 18-24 age group, seven out of 10 people unable to work suffer from a mental illness -- four times higher compared to 25 years ago.