From burnout patient to mental health aider - Julie's story at ten23 health

We join the celebrations of the Swiss Days of Action for the Rights of People with Disabilities (running May 15th - June 15th 2024) by publishing content related to inclusion in the work place.

ten23 health as an inclusive employer works together with the Swiss IV (invalidity support). It was through the IV program that Julie Woan , following her burnout, joined ten23 two years ago. Julie is Circle Lead New ERP System at ten23 health.

Read the interview with Julie held by Tamara Hell , JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) & LGBTQIA+ Officer and Drug Product Scientist at ten23 health.

Tamara: How has your experience with your illness influenced the way you work and your perspective on the job? 

Julie: It is not always easy, and statistics show there is a high probability of repeat burnout situations. I think of myself as someone who has successfully recovered from a burnout and from this, I learnt how to take better care of myself. I manage my time and energy at work and out of work better now. I have more energy for activities that I love to do, for example on food and wine tours and hiking – and sometimes combine them! 

Tamara: What support does ten23 offer you as an employee recovering from an illness? 

Julie: The support I feel from ten23 started from a moment I remember well. I had a corridor conversation with Hanns-Christian (CEO of ten23 health), who shared that a close friend had been sick and had support from the IV department in Basel to return to work. He so appreciated this, that he wanted to provide similar support at ten23. This speaks volumes about how our CEO but also many other people think and act in the company. We are building a unique culture at ten23. I feel greater phycological safety than in any other work environment. 

Tamara: Can you tell us about a situation in which you felt particularly supported at ten23? 

Julie: It is often in the more difficult times that you really see the true nature of people. I am running a challenging ERP project and when a close family member  got sick, it was difficult to handle the family situation and be fully present in the workplace. I had this familiar feeling of overwhelm building that I experienced in the months as my burnout unfolded. As I learned how to take care of myself, I knew I needed to act and took time off. My circle lead responded to the situation by saying that this was a “wise and responsible decision that I had taken”. I felt safe and secure in the knowledge that I was supported and was able to openly communicate what was happening in my life and not fear that negative actions would follow. 

Tamara: How can we as a society help to improve job opportunities for people with different backgrounds and abilities? 

Julie: This is a big topic and I do not have all the answers. I do feel there is quite some work to do in raising awareness that burnout does not mean you are a red flag to a recruiter. I asked senior leaders in my network for advice on how to explain my time out of the workplace with burnout - and all advised not to share this information as I would not get a job. However, as you will see from my LinkedIn profile, I decided to be open. But also, importantly to frame what I had learnt from the experience how I manage my life to reduce the risk that this happens again.  

Tamara: Are there any specific adjustments or support you would like to see from ten23? 

Julie: ten23 already does a lot to support people who experience physical and mental challenges in life. For example, we support the training with mental health first aiders, of which I am one. We are there to be a first line of support for people who may need help. 

Finally, what advice would you give to other people with similar challenges who want to succeed in the job market? 

Julie: There is still a lot of bias and stigma out in the world towards disabilities but also other discriminations. Be open about your situation, what you have learnt from it and what you feel you can bring to the company. If you do not feel comfortable in the interview, the chances are high you will not feel comfortable working in the company. I count myself very lucky to have found ten23 – there are not many companies like them out there. 

Thanks Julie for this insightful interview!