I'm burnt out and want to take a 6-week stress leave. How do I do this without ruining my job prospects at work or a future employer?

Let’s say, for example, that Diego has been working a demanding corporate job for years and he’s completely burned out. He desperately wants to take a six-week stress leave, but he’s very worried about how this break will impact his opportunities at his current or future jobs.

So should Diego take the break, and how can he do so without damaging his career? Experts weigh in with some solid advice.

Not taking the break could be more damaging

As Diego considers his options, career experts believe he needs to think about one key thing.

“Not taking a break when you’re burnt out or unwell is arguably worse for your productivity and impact than attempting to push through it,” Sam DeMase, a career expert at ZipRecruiter, told Moneywise.

Jan Hendrik von Ahlen, a career and employment expert and founder of JobLeads, agrees, telling Moneywise,”if you really need it, don’t be scared of taking a stress leave. Burnout and other mental health issues are as serious as physical ones, so they have to be taken care of accordingly.”

If you stay on the job but can’t work at your full potential or start making mistakes, that could become a much bigger problem than taking a few weeks off to recharge.

Your future job prospects don’t have to be affected

While Diego’s fears about his job prospects aren’t without merit, the reality is that taking six weeks off shouldn’t be a major threat to his career trajectory.

“When it comes to future job prospects, an official prolonged medical leave shouldn’t harm it in any way,” Hendrik von Ahlen said. “Your resume has your workplace and job titles, as well as your dates of employment. A medical leave taken during that employment period doesn’t have to be disclosed at all, as you stayed employed and your work history is continuous.”

Even if a future employer did find out, the fact you took time off would likely not be a major point of concern if your resume was otherwise solid.

“As a recruiter and interview coach, I would look at someone’s relevant experience, achievements, and ability to do the job,” said Margaret Buj, a career coach. “A period of leave would not, by itself, tell me they were less capable or committed.”

If the career break allows Diego to do his job well, he may be more likely to have those achievements that can help him get hired in the future.

Handle your leave request the right way

Of course, Diego also needs to protect himself in his current position. To do that, he should follow the right process when it comes to arranging his leave.

“Open up an honest conversation with your manager about your situation,” DeMase suggests. “You need to step away due to mental health challenges. Many bosses will encourage you to take leave and come back re-energized.”

You may also have a right to take this leave under company policies, the law, or both. “Start by speaking with a healthcare professional and checking the formal leave process with HR,” suggests Buj. “Understand what documentation is required, whether the leave is paid, and what protections apply to your circumstances.”