Periods of inability to work resulting from psychic disorders have clearly increased within the last decade. Fundamental changes in professional life producing increased chronic stress are thought to be responsible. On this basis we discuss the importance of the vulnerability-stress-model and give an overview of the spectrum of employment-related psychic disorders. The phenomena “burn out” and “mobbing” are discussed in particular. General approaches for prevention based on the Demand/Control/Support model and the model of recognition crises are delineated. Furthermore, pragmatic strategies for the interaction with already mentally affected employees are presented.
