WORKOHOLICS

The social problems arising out of this compulsive behavior are plenty. We mentioned health as a major consequence. Workaholics have a tendency to neglect their health. They delay seeking medical treatment for their sickness and prefer to spend their day working in office than recuperating at home. Sometimes, it may be delayed so much that the sickness becomes incurable. Common ailments are blood pressure and heart problems, caused mainly by the work pressure they put onto their shoulders.

Besides physical condition, the emotional aspects of a workaholic have to be considered. The moment he hits home, he would be too tired to give any attention to his family members and loved ones. He may be listening to his children, but his mind is somewhere else, probably thinking of the uncompleted assignments and projects. With little emotional bonding within the family unit, it is a matter of time that he splits ways and the spouse files for divorce.

There are telling signs of work addiction. Look around your office or place of work and if you spot someone with several of these symptoms, they are either already workaholics or have the potential to be:-

·         Works extraordinarily long hours.

·         Always in a hurry.

·         A perfectionist.

·         Does not like to delegate work.

·         Likes to stay in control.

·         Emails you in the middle of the night.

·         Wants everything done urgently and quickly.

·         Impatient and has a low tolerance for mistakes.

·         Always talking about work matters.

·         Does not socialize unless forced to.

·         Routine is home – office – home and nowhere else.

·         Possibly temperamental and hostile.

·         Takes little care of personal health and hygiene.

·         Goes to work when on medical leave.

·         Does not take vacation leave.

Within this broad generalization, there are also those who choose to overwork themselves. We shall deal first with the true blue workaholics.

True blue workaholics i.e., those who take their work seriously and cannot kick the habit of working. Such people have to progressively understand that work is never-ending. Rather than undertake the work alone, they should learn to delegate and farm out the work. Bosses often pile work on workaholics because they can produce results. A person has but two hands and there is a limit as to how much work he can handle. It is therefore useful to learn how to say “No” and to reject work. If attention is spread too thin among all the assignments, quality is adversely affected and it would not benefit the company. Devote more time to relationships. Be convinced that success in life is incomplete if it is only a success at work but a failure at home.

The second group of workers intentionally put themselves in that position of a workaholic for various reasons:-

1. The pretender

He works hard only when his bosses are looking. One Japanese bank manager we knew had this daily routine. He would leave his computer on, switch to a password-protected screensaver mode, and sneak out of the office at about 5pm. He had his dinner, shower, booze and returned to office at 8pm. He then worked till midnight and returned home after that. His boss would leave the office at about 11pm, and was always pleased to see this manager at his desk even at that late hour.

2. The opportunist

There is a rosy opportunity, a managerial position that is recently vacant and up for grabs. This person has been eyeing it for a long time and decides to become a work addict overnight to prove to the management that he has the cut for the job. He makes a lot of 'noise' while at work just so that people know that he is working hard.

3. The insecure

At the other end of the spectrum, instead of a possible promotion, this person senses a threat to his position. He may get fired because he handled something badly or there is a new employee who is better qualified. The feeling of insecurity motivates this person to work.

4. The procrastinator

He sits on files, drags his feet. Close to the deadline, he suddenly wakes up to the reality that his career is on the line if he does not complete the assignment. During this last stretch of the race, and so close to the deadline, he has no alternative but to work doubly hard.

5. The escapist

Family unhappiness causes him to stay out of the home. With nowhere else to go, he stays in office for as long as he can and dives into work to keep his mind away from his marital problems.

Curing the habit for these lots of people will depend on the reason for them wanting to work long hours. A good boss should encourage his employees to have a balanced life. The best way to do that is to be the exemplary figure. If bosses leave the office right after office hours, openly talk about their golf and other social hobbies, and party away on weekends, the workers are likely to follow suit.


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Coutrtesy: fairy-tales-fables-business.blogspot.com