Opposing a Work-Obsessed Aesthetic in the Workplace
In today's fast-paced work environment, it's essential to recognise signs of toxicity and workaholism that can harm work-life balance. A toxic work environment, often characterised by excessive stress, unrealistic deadlines, and unmanageable workloads, can turn employees into workaholics.
Workaholics may spend 12, 16, or more hours immersed in work, neglecting friends, family, and overall life success. This addiction to working excessively can lead to chronic fatigue, burnout, and frequent illness.
Other key signs of a toxic work environment promoting workaholism include low enthusiasm and morale, high staff turnover, cliques, exclusion, gossip, bullying behaviour, and a lack of support for employee growth and wellbeing.
To handle such environments and workaholism, setting clear personal boundaries is crucial. This includes limiting email checks and work outside official hours. Disengaging from toxic behaviours like gossip, blame-shifting, or manipulation is also important.
Communication with managers or HR about workload and stress is essential, seeking support or accommodations where possible. Managers and leaders should model healthy work habits, such as respecting off-hours and scheduling breaks, to set cultural expectations.
Encouraging or seeking access to employee assistance programs (EAPs) or professional therapy can help address workaholism and its underlying causes. If the environment remains harmful, exploring new job opportunities that prioritise psychological safety, recognition, and balanced workloads may be necessary.
It's important to remember that the health of the company is not an excuse for employees to work more than ever before. In fact, performing best often requires rest and maintaining a work-life balance. Being a team player includes ensuring one's well-being and productivity.
In a company that does not have a traditional management structure, such as the acronym name company, employees can choose their work location, type of work, and hours. This company does not encourage employees to be tied to their machines 24 hours a day.
Ultimately, acknowledging the need for a company to change its culture if it doesn't is crucial. No one's headstone will read "I wish I'd spent more time at the office." Instead, prioritising a healthy work environment that values work-life balance is essential for both personal and professional success.
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- To combat the negative effects of workaholism and foster a healthier lifestyle, it's beneficial to explore education and self-development resources that focus on mental health and wellness.
- Incorporating science-based strategies for stress management and career development into one's lifestyle can help maintain a balanced approach to work and personal life.
- For employees seeking advancement, pursuing a degree or certificate in health-and-wellness, lifestyle, or education-and-self-development can provide skills to better navigate the modern work landscape and prioritize their overall well-being.
