When work makes you ill

Sociogenic means ‘caused or influenced by society or social factors.’ 

Work is a small society, and therefore, it can make us ill. Research published in 2025 found work stress predicted burnout and depressive symptoms, yet when staff are regularly off sick, we always assume that their biology is to blame.

Rather than automatically jump to this conclusion, consider the sociogenic factors as well and ask what is happening to them, before asking what is wrong with them. 

Then look at ways you can change or influence that, rather than simply expecting your people to ‘get better soon.’