Workaholics Anonymous | What actually constitutes a 'work addiction' and what does HR need to know?

All HR practitioners hope to foster a working environment in which employees feel engaged and passionate about the work they’re undertaking.

Finding that employees are enjoying their job, and actively gain fulfilment from the time they spend at work is an ideal scenario for all who have a stake in the company’s culture.

However, hard work isn’t always a positive sign, especially when it’s eating into creating a work-life balance. When this happens, the line between dedication and addiction to work can blur, leading to detrimental effects on individuals' wellbeing and productivity. This is often referred to as workaholism.

It may sound like a niche issue, or even a joke, but data recently gathered by the BBC has discovered that workaholism is no joke. It’s a serious issue that’s growing steadily.