Karoshi to the Code du Travail: Why it's hard to head off worker burnout with laws

By Anand Ram · CBC

Japan, France have learned how enshrining protections in law can have unintended consequences

A man holds a copy of the 'Labour Code - Code du Travail' while taking part in a nationwide day of protest against labour reforms in Bordeaux, France, on March 9, 2016. The next year, France enshrined the 'right to disconnect' into law, so that employees don't have to deal with work emails during off hours. (Nicolas Tucat/AFP/Getty Images)

Leaving aside the personal and human toll, stressed-out workers cost countries a lot of time and money.

The U.K.'s Health and Safety Executive said more than 11 million days were lost to work-stress, anxiety and depression in 2015-2016. In 2012, the German labour minister said stress leave and early retirement from worker burnout was costing the country up to $10 billion a year.

But even when governments act, it's not clear policy alone can solve the problem.

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