Mental Health at Work – When the Law Falls Behind

Stress, pressure, conflict, exhaustion – mental strain at work has become part of everyday life for many people. It is now one of the leading causes of absenteeism and long-term illness, affecting organisations of all sizes and industries. At the same time, the legal recognition of mental health issues remains limited in Switzerland.

Within occupational health management (OHM), mental health has become a core topic. Many companies invest in prevention, resilience and healthy workplace culture. Yet in Swiss labour and accident insurance law, a gap remains: when is a mental illness truly recognised as an occupational disease? And why so rarely?

These are the questions explored in Marc Wohlwend’s new dissertation “On the Causality Between Psychosocial Stress at Work and Disease”, published by the sui generis Verlag. His research analyses the complex relationship between workplace stress, mental illness and legal accountability.

Wohlwend demonstrates that conditions such as depression, burnout or stress-related exhaustion are still seldom recognised as occupational diseases under Swiss law. By combining legal doctrine with findings from occupational medicine, psychology, and epidemiology, his work takes an interdisciplinary approach that opens up new perspectives for researchers, policymakers, and employers alike.

Why This Work Matters

A healthy workplace is both a social and an economic necessity.Companies with a strong occupational health strategy benefit from fewer absences, higher motivation, and long-term employee retention. Wohlwend’s research highlights that as long as legislation fails to reflect the realities of mental health, prevention and corporate responsibility will remain incomplete.

For professionals working in health and safety, prevention, social insurance law or employment law, the dissertation offers valuable insights and fresh perspectives on how law, health and work interact.

The book is available from sui generis Verlag, both as a printed edition and as a free open-access publication:

Link

Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for Employers and Policymakers

Marc Wohlwend’s dissertation underlines how closely mental health, working conditions, and legal frameworks are connected. It is a call to action – for employers, authorities, and legislators – to take mental strain at work seriously, not only within occupational health management but also in the legal system itself.

The Forum BGM Zentralschweiz supports research and initiatives that promote a holistic understanding of workplace health. A truly healthy working world can only emerge when business, science, and policy share responsibility.