Despite the increasing recognition of burnout, surprisingly little research has examined sickness absence specifically related to burnout and related diagnoses. This study therefore addressed the following research questions: (1) What is the duration of sickness absence associated with stress-related diagnoses made by occupational physicians? (2) Who provides treatment to these employees during their absence? (3) Can the Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT) predict the duration of sickness absence?

We analyzed two-year follow-up data from 3,462 employees who were absent from work in 2020 due to stress complaints (n = 691), overstrain (n = 2,254), or burnout (n = 517). Data sources included medical records and employee questionnaires, incorporating both the BAT and the Four-Dimensional Symptom Questionnaire (4DSQ). Findings revealed that approximately two-thirds of employees with stress complaints, half of those with overstrain, and one-third of those with burnout returned to work within six months.

At the onset of their absence, nearly half of the employees were already receiving treatment—most commonly from a mental health assistant at their general practice or from a psychologist. Treatment was more frequent among those with a burnout diagnosis. Neither the BAT nor the 4DSQ explained more than 0.8% of the variance in sickness absence duration.

In conclusion, the observed differences in absence duration across the three diagnostic groups were consistent with existing clinical guidelines. Notably, employees diagnosed with burnout were more likely to have received early treatment. Although statistically significant, the predictive value of the BAT and 4DSQ for sickness absence duration was not clinically meaningful (download full paper).