A study carried out last year in Italy showed that in the context of teleworking caused by the pandemic, workers are more alert about their work, that is to say, they are more concerned about their emails, notifications and calls, which they feel a sense of urgency to consult and respond to immediately. A phenomenon called “telepression” and which is exacerbated in individuals with workaholic tendencies, explains Maude Boulet, assistant professor at the National School of Public Administration (ENAP).
It is for this reason that Jessica Joyal speaks more of a “connection addiction” rather than a true work addiction. “Being constantly connected and in communication doesn’t mean you work more, just that the line between your private life and your work has weakened,” she says. Telecommuting is not the source of the problem, but rather the way it is done. “
Less valued
For a very long time, being a workaholic was well regarded in society. “It was the kind of thing we could brag about and even be admired,” agrees Ms. Desrosiers. It was valued. “
“It’s an addiction that can go unnoticed for a long time,” adds Jessica Joyal. However, I think it seems a lot less than it used to be, because rather than being seen as someone who works a lot, you see someone who cannot quit. “
The values that prevail in our society and a generational effect may have influenced this perception, continues the headhunter. “The baby boomers, including myself, were very hardworking and valued themselves a lot through their work,” she explains. Without necessarily being less hard-working, the generations that followed chose to give more space to their personal lives and their leisure activities. “
Either way, it is in this direction that the road to success would lie. At some point, investing too much in your work will not have the desired results. “To be successful, you often have to overinvest, but at a certain point, this overinvestment is more detrimental to productivity,” notes Pierrette Desrosiers.
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