June 4, 2007 |
Posted By Diane Pfadenhauer |
Workaholism, the New Addiction
A recent article in USA Today notes that more and more Americans have turned to self-help groups to deal with their addiction to work. The article cites the adverse effects of over-work: poor health, destruction of friendships, the harm to spouses or children. In addition, research shows a growing number of these extreme workers, driven to long hours on the job because of new technology, globalization and today's intensified business pressures. Some statistics cited:
- A study in the December issue of Harvard Business Review provided new information on the rise in workaholics: Of extreme job holders, 48% say they are working an average of 16.6 more hours per week than they did five years ago.
- About 60% of high-earning individuals work more than 50 hours a week; 35%, more than 60 hours; and 10%, more than 80 hours. Add a typical one-hour commute, and a 60-hour week means leaving home at 7 a.m. and returning at 9 p.m. five days a week. Using the definition of extreme worker, the researchers found about 20% of high earners surveyed have extreme jobs.
- Extreme workers are defined in part as working 60 hours or more a week and have characteristics such as an unpredictable work flow, fast-paced work under a tight deadline, responsibility for profit and loss, a large number of subordinates and a lot of travel.