Workaholics can be found in all professions.
It could be a freelancer working on a laptop at the beach, an athlete completing double training sessions, or a manager reviewing reports on a Sunday evening. Persistence and the drive for success are commendable, but sometimes work turns into something that consumes one’s entire life. According to recent studies, about 15% of workers suffer from workaholism. It usually starts with ambition, perfectionism, or a simple desire to earn a bonus. Gradually, a healthy work ethic crosses the line and becomes an addiction with far-reaching consequences. Often, the concept of “workaholism” is misunderstood and thus perceived as something insignificant. In reality, it is a widespread and dangerous psychological disorder that deserves close attention.
What Is Workaholism and What It Is Not
Today, workaholism is viewed as an addiction with specific risk factors for certain people and professions. The consequences are almost always deeply negative, which is why public figures specializing in labor protection are increasingly sounding the alarm. The modern world demands constant availability from workers. A person may be anywhere, but a message in a messenger app or a sudden phone call can reach them during a vacation, at a family dinner, or even in the hospital. Researchers from Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands have released a report that outlines the signs of a workaholic. First and foremost, it’s important to recognize the labels that arise from a loose interpretation of the term. Some people work overtime because they are genuinely engaged in their work, having found their calling and meaning in life. Others are forced to work extra hours to pay off a loan on time. Still, others are willing to put in extra effort temporarily to climb the career ladder. None of these cases are the problem — workaholism lies in a slightly different realm. Sociologists agree that work becomes workaholism when it manifests in four aspects: motives, thoughts, emotions, and behavior. A workaholic has an inner compulsion to work, not driven by direct necessity. All their thoughts revolve around work, whether discussing the past day or planning for the future. Such a person experiences emotional distress during vacations, doesn’t know how to occupy themselves on weekends, and is therefore willing to work beyond any reasonable limit.
Who Is More Prone to Workaholism
A large-scale survey conducted in Western European countries shows that people from all walks of life, regardless of income level or profession, can struggle with workaholism. Lawyers, HR specialists, educators, and private entrepreneurs can all become workaholics. Some respondents explained their work habits by saying they grew up in poverty and fear returning to that state. Others came from affluent backgrounds and feel a responsibility to continue moving forward, achieving new levels of wealth. These different starting points and paths have led to the same result. Workaholism does not stand out among particular demographic groups, although women show a slightly higher tendency toward it. However, there are certain factors that increase the risks.
Interestingly, the most susceptible to workaholism are the self-employed and remote workers. This is due to the constant availability of their workspace and the lack of supervision from a manager. Apps like Zoom or Telegram simplify the interaction process but also blur boundaries, allowing any place at any time to become a workspace. Never before have there been conditions so conducive to workaholism, which has led to its accelerated spread. This trend first gained attention during the COVID-19 pandemic, but at that time, the deviations were attributed to the general anxiety caused by uncertainty. Now, it’s becoming clear that the problem has not disappeared and is only growing.
Additionally, researchers from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens note that perfectionists and extroverts are more prone to workaholism.
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Consequences
Workaholism is dangerous because it offers some short-term benefits, making it seem like the right path. Extra sales or overtime hours can bring more money. However, the long-term negative effects have a devastating impact on a person, which no salary can compensate for. Typically, a workaholic performs duties at the bare minimum acceptable level, blending in with other employees, meaning they have minimal prospects for career growth. They become a voluntary “workhorse” who will eventually face burnout.
Workaholism does not lead to a significant increase in productivity. Simply put, the effort put in is not proportional to the results achieved. As a result, the worker almost wastes their time and energy, often just creating the appearance of being busy. Yet, this leads to real exhaustion. Constant fatigue causes mistakes that can harm colleagues, clients, and the organization.
Moreover, there is a correlation between workaholism and life dissatisfaction. It’s hard to be happy when your extra effort doesn’t bring extra results. Workaholism also clearly affects personal relationships and the ability to engage in self-development. Essentially, all free time is exchanged for work that is often done with minimal enthusiasm. In such conditions, even health is neglected. The accelerated and uncontrolled wear and tear on the body eventually leads to a hospital bed — or even somewhere quieter.
