Is being a workaholic such a bad thing?
You can find them on the train typing furiously on precariously balanced laptops, or by the pool on holiday, emailing with a blackberry in one hand, applying sun-cream to a grumpy spouse with the other.
Workaholics have always been lambasted for their bad social habits, but now experts are wondering if ‘workaholism’ is such a bad thing after all.
The Career Development International has recently published an article arguing that negative portrayals of wokaholism are counter-productive for society.
According to the papers’ author, Professor Yehuda Baruch, an addiction to work can lead to positive outcomes for both society and individuals. Although we tend to associate workaholism with high levels of stress, depression and desintegration of domestic relationships, empirical research has shown that workaholics are more likely to display drive and ambition, rather than negativity and exhaustion.
Professor Baruch draws a comparison between workaholism and chocolate. Although chocolate can make us fat and be bad for our teeth, it has the social benefits of energizing the eater and generating a good feeling. Similarly, workaholics, although perhaps damaging their physical health, reinforce a stronger sense of well-being through their dedication and vigour.
The professor recommends that workers choose how much work they can reasonably carry out, because everybody is different.
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