This isn't black and white. The options aren't sabbatical or disaster. Time off is not a solution. The problem will simply resurface when the person comes back

This isn't black and white. The options aren't sabbatical or disaster. Time off is not a solution. The problem will simply resurface when the person comes back. The solution is to re-organize the work. Hire an additional person, if needed. Add work that the employee will enjoy and that will be relaxing. That's a solution. If the company isn't interested in solutions, then the solution for the employee is still not a sabbatical. The solution is to quit and find a company that isn't so myopic.