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How to recognise work addiction in the workplace

As technology makes it increasingly easy to push beyond the 9-5, Lucinda Pullinger, Global Head of HR at Instant Offices explores how employees and business owners alike can recognise the difference between committed working habits and work addiction.

Last month, a new study by TUC had highlighted UK workers work the longest hours in the EU with full-time employees working up to an average of 42 hours a week. Research by Harvard Business Review shows the average CEO works 62.5 hours a week - around 21.3 hours above the global baseline of 41.2 hours. In the UK, 54 per cent of employees check work emails on holiday and 6 per cent admit to even checking them at a funeral. 

With smartphones, computers, and apps at our fingertips, we're able to maintain a constant connection to our work. In theory, these tools should make our workdays shorter and more efficient, but constant distractions and the inability to disconnect can lead to longer work hours and less to show for it.

According to the Bergen Work Addiction Scale, replying 'often' or 'always' to at least four of the following seven criteria may indicate a work addiction: 

  1. You think of how you can free up more time to work.
  2. You spend much more time working than initially intended.
  3. You work in order to reduce feelings of guilt, anxiety, helplessness and depression.
  4. You have been told by others to cut down on work without listening to them.
  5. You become stressed if you are prohibited from working.
  6. You deprioritise hobbies, leisure activities, and exercise because of your work.
  7. You work so much that it has negatively influenced your health.

Studies from CIPD show a sharp rise in presenteeism over the last few years from just 26 per cent in 2010 to 86 per cent in 2017. As opposed to being absent from work, presenteeism leads to employees having lower productivity while at work. 

Poor health, guilt when not working and increased stress levels are often consequences of work addiction. Here are a few ways to combat it: 

Trust your team: For a team to grow successfully, it's important to attract and retain talented employees, delegate effectively, and trust them to perform tasks without you. 

Reduce distraction: Around 40 per cent of employees believe work distraction could also be drastically reduced with flexible and remote working options, according to a report by Udemy.

Encourage work-life balance: Instill a 40-hour work week for everyone, CEO's included, with an emphasis on results rather than hours spent at a desk. 

Try a digital detox: Limit time spent online by consciously logging off of your work email and putting your phone away during weekends and on holiday. Set the tone in your organisation by normalising the fact that employees don't have to adopt an always-on attitude. There are several apps that can assist by locking your devices for a period of time. 

Allow mornings to set the precedent for the rest of the day: Whether taking time out to exercise, read, meditate or plan for the day, prioritise setting the tone for the hours to come every morning. When planning out your day, stick to a realistic to do list of no more than five items at a time.

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