Between 2010 and 2024, the number of days lost to illness in Switzerland rose from 6.3 to 8.5 days per year per full-time post. This figure remains reassuring compared to neighbouring countries (Germany reported 14.8 days in 2024), except that the number of cases of mental illness is increasing.
According to a 2022 study by Swica, sick leave due to mental health issues is full-time in 95% of cases and lasts an average of 218 days – twice as long as for physical illnesses. Young people are particularly affected: at the end of 2025, the disability insurance scheme discussed measures to restrict access to mental health-related pensions for those under thirty, as the number of claims is rising.
It is important to note, however, that employees are not obliged to tell their employer why they are ill. If the sick note is issued by a psychiatrist, the cause is clear, but GPs can also issue such certificates. In practice, it is therefore difficult to distinguish between sick leave for physical or mental health reasons, as these can overlap.
Significant societal costs
In any case, the costs of absenteeism run into tens of billions, and loss-of-earnings insurance schemes are the first to bear the brunt of these costs. This explains why, in the event of sick leave, they regularly call upon medical experts. The expert meets with the patient and in turn assesses their incapacity for work, in order to confirm, qualify or refute it, as well as to consider solutions for a return to work. This may involve a gradual return to work or the use of case managers. In mental health, this is more delicate, as illnesses cannot be verified through blood tests or MRI scans.
According to social services, some people may find the medical assessments very stressful. They fear that they will be deprived of their benefits whilst they are still too fragile to return to work, with the sole aim of cutting costs. Seeing a medical expert also means having to explain their condition in detail once again, which can feel intrusive when one has to talk about one’s mental health issues.
When insurers terminate contracts
Income protection insurance is not compulsory and falls under private law. Insurers therefore have the right to terminate a contract for a company that is costing them too much. Some cases have made the headlines: companies have terminated contracts and refused to offer new policies. This has damaging consequences for the psychological well-being of the employees concerned.
Furthermore, companies reporting a high number of cases of long-term illness may face significant increases in premiums. And an employer who takes out loss of earnings insurance finds it difficult to switch providers. In a tender process, the premium offered by a competing insurer is almost always higher than the current premium.
The issue of claims already in progress when changing insurers also poses a problem. When a new insurer takes over a contract from one of its competitors, it must assume responsibility for paying daily benefits for cases already open, in place of the former insurer. This automatically generates losses from the outset, whilst the former insurer comes out with a profit.
Avoiding gaps in cover
These issues are a cause for concern within the industry. According to the NZZ, the question of liability for ongoing claims is set to be reviewed in 2027. The Swiss Insurance Association (ASA) announced this at a press conference in early 2026. Furthermore, the ASA is considering a fallback solution for companies which, through no fault of their own, can no longer find daily allowance insurance.
Occupational illness or not?
These recent developments show that, in any case, it is also in employers’ interests to provide a working environment that is not detrimental to mental health. In the field of accidents, active prevention has largely borne fruit. It would be ideal if the same could apply to the fight against mental health conditions, although the multifactorial nature of these conditions complicates matters. Burnout is not, in fact, considered an occupational illness, as personal life events also play a role in cases of exhaustion, anxiety or depression.
We encourage companies to invest in prevention. At the risk of sounding pessimistic, the current upheavals in the world of work, driven by AI and the uncertain economic climate, are also risk factors for absenteeism due to mental health issues.
Sources:
New study reveals the reasons behind sick leave due to mental health issues – SWICA
Mental health conditions: Sick leave places a burden on companies and insurers
