In the realm of work addiction, the term “workaholic” has been under scrutiny for nearly 45 years. In today’s digital age, this concept takes on new dimensions. The advent of technology, such as smartphones, laptops, and tablets, has opened up the opportunity for work to infiltrate every corner of our lives. For some individuals, this means toiling away ceaselessly. The ability to bring work into one’s home blurs the boundary between work and leisure, compelling many to continue working long after the official end of the workday. It is now commonplace for people to be expected to be accessible during evenings, weekends, and even during vacations.
In high-pressure work environments with impending deadlines, the fast-paced nature of the world has led to longer working hours for most individuals. Entrepreneurs, in particular, find it challenging to disengage from work, as missing an important call or failing to respond to an email promptly can translate into lost revenue. The prevailing “time is money” mentality makes people think twice about enjoying a relaxing evening with family or leisure time with friends. The consequence of this is that workaholism has come to be referred to as ‘the addiction of this century.’
The critical question is, when does our readiness to be perpetually available tip into the territory of becoming a workaholic? To date, there hasn’t been a definitive method to distinguish a “hard worker” from a “workaholic.”
Work Addiction Scale
Researchers from the Department of Psychosocial Science at the University of Bergen in Norway have pinpointed distinct symptoms that are characteristic of workaholics. They have developed a work addiction scale that employs the following seven criteria to gauge the likelihood of an individual having a work addiction:
- Constantly thinking of ways to free up more time for work.
- Spending significantly more time working than initially planned.
- Using work as a means to alleviate feelings of guilt, anxiety, helplessness, or depression.
- Ignoring advice from others to reduce work.
- Experiencing stress when prevented from working.
- Prioritizing work over hobbies, leisure activities, and exercise.
- Allowing work to negatively impact one’s health.
If you find yourself responding “often” or “always” to any of these points, you may be a workaholic. The study concluded that approximately 8.3% of the Norwegian workforce is addicted to work, with other studies suggesting a similar prevalence, around 10%, in other countries.
What kinds of people become workaholics?
Individuals identified as workaholics often exhibit high scores in the following three personality traits:
- Agreeableness: Workaholics tend to be more altruistic, compliant, and modest.
- Neuroticism: Workaholics are inclined to be nervous, hostile, and impulsive.
- Intellect/Imagination: Workaholics are generally innovative and action-oriented.
The research also revealed that younger workers were more prone to workaholism, while gender, educational background, and marital status did not seem to play a significant role. However, parents were found to be more susceptible to workaholism compared to those without children.
The Perils of Being a Workaholic
Although some CEOs and managers might secretly relish the idea of having employees willing to work round the clock, in the long term, this approach is detrimental both to companies and individuals. A study conducted in 2013 by Kansas State University indicated that people working more than 50 hours per week were at risk of experiencing adverse physical and mental health effects.
Initially, the inability to disengage from work may appear to lead to heightened productivity. Nevertheless, productivity tends to decline over time, and relationships suffer as a result. The cumulative effect of stress can lead to increased health risks and even contribute to premature death.
Working long hours also creates an intriguing paradox: the more people work, the more they earn, but longer hours reduce the time available for leisure and enjoying the fruits of their labour. Without realizing it, life can rapidly transform into an endless cycle of work, with little room for leisure, if one is not cautious.
Treatment for Workaholics
Being a workaholic should not be glorified; rather, it should be treated as a serious condition. One of the primary challenges in addressing workaholism is that the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual does not yet officially recognize it as an addiction, unlike alcohol, drug, or gambling addictions. Consequently, insurance reimbursement for treatment may not be readily available.
However, there are still avenues for help. Treatment options range from participating in self-help groups such as Workaholics Anonymous to enrolling in residential treatment centers. Therapy typically involves learning how to disconnect from work, reestablishing connections with family, and implementing strategies for increased efficiency.
Perhaps the most prudent course of action is to cultivate self-awareness regarding any workaholic tendencies. Monitoring the time dedicated to work and identifying issues it may be causing in one’s personal life are crucial steps. Practicing detachment, taking regular vacations, and establishing healthy boundaries can foster a work-life balance that prevents the onset of workaholism.
