Workplace
businesses, she volunteers on the boards of several local groups and associations, including the Chamber of Commerce and the Community Futures Development Corporation. Needless to say, it doesn’t surprise James when her sons call her a workaholic. “I am proud of how hard I work,” she says. “I don’t view being called a workaholic as an insult.”
The definition of “workaholic” is
important here. Contrary to what many think, working hard, being diligent, motivated and productive isn’t workahol- ism. The term is actually bestowed upon people who work obsessively and compulsively at the expense of other things, such as spending time with friends and family, hobbies and relaxing. Laura Hambley, an organizational psychologist and consultant in Calgary, says workaholism is an addiction, though it’s not seen in the same light as other dependencies. “I would say it is different than smoking, drinking and gambling in that organizations tend to reward rather than scorn it, as they would, say, an alcoholic employee,” she says. “However, it is consistent with other addictions — it is a problem that impacts key areas of a person’s life.” While workaholism is a much bigger problem in Japan, China and the US, for example, Canada isn’t far behind. According to the last General Social Survey conducted by Statistics Canada in 2010 (the study will be conducted again this year), a quarter of Canadian adults are self-described workaholics, including 31% of 35- to 44-year-olds and 28% of folks in the 45 to 55 set. The same study reported 36% of adults worry that they don’t spend enough time with family and friends, 29% admit they feel like they don’t have time for fun and 34% say they are constantly under stress trying to accomplish more than they can handle. The addiction to work is certainly more common in some professions — including finance. Workaholism
18 | CPA MAGAZINE | MAY 2015
Could you be a workaholic?
These warning signs might point to an unhealthy addiction to work:
• Inability to keep work separate from or out of your personal life • Refusal to delegate at the office
• Feeling that your identity and self- worth is directly related to your work
• Feeling stressed when you’re not working
• Working more hours than necessary to reduce feelings of anxiety or depression
• Putting everything on the back burner in favour of work
• Work has negatively affected your health
attracts folks who are “driven and competitive, and have an extremely high need for achievement, diligence, focus, conscientiousness and sometimes perfectionism,” says Hambley. When they’re not burning the midnight oil at the office, you’ll likely find them at home in front of their laptop. They expend too much energy, time and emotional attachment in all things work, which in theory probably doesn’t sound half bad to most managers. Some bosses are quick to praise the overworker — he or she is dedicated, answers emails on weekends and doesn’t take time off. This is the reason why workaholics receive kudos and even financial rewards from higher-ups, Hambley explains. “Workaholics feel a sense of accomplish- ment. These people thrive off the feeling of meeting another target and winning at work,” she says. Besides karoshi, there are serious ramifications of an all-work, no-play existence for both the employee and the employer. “Workaholism does tend to damage relationships, as the workaholic
ends up prioritizing work above all else. It’s not uncommon for these people to end up divorced, for example,” Hambley says. “The health impacts of workahol- ism are also significant, but because they manifest over the longer term, it’s easy for people to be in denial. One example is if work is prioritized over fitness, and healthy eating slips due to late nights at the office, longer-term chronic health issues can emerge.” A major consequence of health and personal issues is a decrease in produc- tivity and absenteeism, since these problems inevitably spill into the workplace. Hambley says organizations are also seeing a rise in disability claims related to stress, putting employers who condone excessive overtime at an even greater risk. “Certain corporate cultures, such as large law firms, tend to reward workaholism, so the person not working long hours is the one scorned,” she says. “Other cultures, where work/life balance is valued, will negatively view workaholism. The peer group may make jabs at the overworkers or view them with disdain.” As far as James is concerned — and despite what her kids say — she doesn’t fit the criteria of a true workaholic. She goes to the gym three times a week, curls once a week and does a good job of making time to relax with friends and family. “If the definition is being addicted to work, I may not qualify. What I’m addicted to is being busy and involved and feeling challenged and appreciated,” she says. “I’ll admit that I feel guilty about taking time away from work when I have things piling up and clients are counting on me. But there are cons to working so hard. I know there have been things I missed out on where my kids were concerned.” At this point, James has found a balance that works for her. “I think the drive to succeed needs to be managed carefully so, like any addiction, it doesn’t take over your whole life.”— Lisa van de Geyn
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