Workaholic
From ArticleWorld
A workaholic is addicted to work.
Contents |
Cause
A workaholic’s addiction can be a pleasurable experience (enjoying the adrenaline, for example) or a burdensome and troubling experience.
Some people consider it a disease, similar to obsessive-compulsive disorder. Although typically connected with a paying job, workaholics can excessively practice other activities (sports, music, blogging, etc.).
Beliefs
A workaholic believes that if he or she doesn’t work, the world, as they know it will collapse. For this reason, it is thought that they don’t love their work or become workaholics from a desire to excel. Workaholism is an addiction and is often linked to drug and alcohol addiction.
Symptoms
- A person thinks that he or she is the only one who is able to do their job.
- A person compulsively checks e-mail and voicemail, or works well into the night regularly and for no apparent reason. This should not be confused with someone who spends a lot of time working from need.
- A workaholic’s relationships with friends and family suffer and his or her interests outside of work falter (losing interest in family, hobbies, etc).
Origin of the word
“Workaholic” is a play on the word “alcoholism” and was first coined by Wayne Oats in his book, “Confessions of a Workaholic,” which was published in 1971. It became increasingly popular during the self-help movement in the 1990s.
Around the world
In Japan, several workers die each year from overwork. The Japanese use the word “karoshi” to define overwork. When it can be proven that the death was a result of overwork the family of the deceased can seek compensation from an employer.