People addicted to work are more likely than their peers to report health complaints — which is only one cost of workaholism, The Washington Post reported July 21.
These work "addicts" often have unhealthy habits, including excessive drinking, sleep deprivation and a lack of exercise, Malissa Clark, PhD, industrial-organizational psychologist at the University of Georgia in Athens, told the Post.
Workaholism is not a term for those who work long days because they love their jobs, nor does it define temporary bursts of work activity to advance careers or adhere to car or house payments, according to Toon Taris, PhD, a behavioral scientist at Utrecht University in the Netherlands.
There's a sharp line between enjoyment and addiction.
It's the work email checks after a shift ends, the guilt experienced when not working, the extra hours that feel compulsory. About 15% of the workforce are workaholics, according to a 2023 study.
Nine things to know about workaholism, according to research compiled by the Post:
- There is no correlation between workaholism and job performance; such employees receive roughly the same performance reviews as their coworkers.
- Perfectionists, extroverts and people with type-A personalities are more prone to workaholism than other personality types.
- Low self-esteem is not a factor to becoming addicted to work.
- A 2018 study of nurses in Norway found that workaholics were more likely than their counterparts to harm or nearly harm patients and themselves, break equipment and sleep on the job.
- Managers and self-employed employees are at a higher risk of workaholism than others.
- A 2006 study also discovered a link between life dissatisfaction and overcommitment to work.
- Organizations that encourage competition and long hours are likely to breed workaholics.
- The increase in workaholism might be connected to online platforms such as Zoom, Slack and Microsoft Teams, which can carry work to wherever the worker is.
- There are no scientifically proven solutions for workaholism, Dr. Taris told the outlet. Research shows steps toward improvement, such as practicing mindfulness, scheduling time for recovery, encouraging autonomy and empowerment, limiting access to work after the workday ends, checking in on suspected workaholics, and advocating for upper management to model healthy work lives.