Others provide a more psychological definition:
- Those who devote more time, attention and thought to their work than the situation demands.
- Those who become emotionally crippled and addicted to approval, control, power and success in the workplace.
- Those with a chronic inability to regulate work habits and over-indulge in work to the exclusion of all else.
- Those compelled or driven to over-work by inner pressures, despite low enjoyment at the tasks.
Studies on workaholics showed they held various beliefs: ‘Work is about win-lose not win-win’; ‘Nice guys finish last’; ‘You prove yourself at work’. They strive against others and certain targets.
Needless to say, many workaholics have lower psychological wellbeing, poor extra-work relationships and near disastrous family functioning.
So how are they coping now when they cannot escape to the office? Is this a vision of hell both for the workaholic and his/her family? Or will it be what psychologists call 'flooding' when trying to deal with phobias: expose people to their worst nightmares and show them that they can cope.
The work enthusiast is different from the work addict. The latter have lower self-esteem and feel they need to prove themselves. They believe their organisation disapproves of a good work-life balance. They feel driven. They work in ways that increase work stress for themselves and others.
So, should we have clinics, drying out centres for recovering workaholics? Should we sit round in circles supporting each other to do 'one day at a time'? Should we swear to be home at 18.00, laptop-less and baby-bath-oriented? Should we condemn the workaholic and tax overtime?
Perhaps this is a perfect time to do a natural experiment, to see how self-confessed or denying workaholics are coping under the new regime.
More importantly how are friends/family and cohabiters adjusting to the presence of the workaholic? Will this be a perfect drying out time? Answers on a postcard.
Adrian Furnham is a professor of psychology in the department of leadership and organisational behaviour at the Norwegian Business School
