What To Do When Your Colleague Is A Workaholic

A workaholic colleague can be a major source of frustration in the workplace. They may be the first one in and the last one to leave, responding to emails within minutes and taking on every additional task that comes their way. Their constant working, whether from the office or at home, can be contagious and make you feel compelled to do the same. This behavior can not only be annoying, but it can also have negative impacts on your well-being, leading to burnout, decreased creativity, productivity, and job satisfaction.

How to work with a workaholic colleague?

In times of layoffs and budget cuts, many employees feel pressure to prove their worth and secure their place on the team. However, it’s important to recognize the difference between working hard and being emotionally dependent on one’s job. Workaholics are driven by an internal compulsion to give their all to the company, unable to “turn off.” They constantly think about work, even outside of business hours, sacrificing their personal life and relationships.

According to research from Harvard Business Review, while dealing with a workaholic colleague can be a challenge, there are steps you can take to mitigate their behavior’s effects on yourself and your team.

Depersonalize their actions

The temptation to think that your colleague’s excessive work is a means of competition with you is a common cognitive bias known as “fundamental attribution error”. This refers to our tendency to ascribe another person’s actions to their character or personality, while attributing our own behavior to external or situational factors beyond our control.

In essence, it’s unlikely that your colleague is overworking to surpass or impress you. Instead, try to understand their behavior from a different perspective. Consider that they may be dealing with a personal issue and using work as a distraction, or that they could have been traumatized by past work experiences.

Avoid glorifying the workaholic behavior

Avoiding the glorification of workaholic behavior is crucial in preventing its spread and impact. Instead of commending a result that is clearly a result of overworking, focus on the outcome and not the process. For example, instead of complimenting your colleague for staying up all night to finish a presentation, appreciate the final product and the hard work that went into it.

It’s also important to pay attention to your own behavior and how it may enable your colleague’s workaholic tendencies. For example, if you respond to emails on a Saturday afternoon, you may unknowingly encourage your colleague to do the same. Therefore, it’s important to set boundaries and take care of your own well-being by creating a healthy work-life balance. This can include scheduling emails to go out on Monday instead of the weekend, dedicating time for self-care, and prioritizing rest and relaxation.

Try to avoid glorifying the behavior

Positive role modeling can also play a role in helping your colleague see the importance of taking care of themselves. By setting a good example, you can inspire them to do the same, and ultimately improve the work environment for everyone. It’s also important to keep in mind that a workaholic’s behavior is usually driven by factors beyond their control, such as a need for recognition, a traumatic workplace experience, or personal stress. By treating them with empathy and understanding, you can help create a more positive work culture for all.

Resist peer pressure

Guilt can be a dangerous trap for those who are dealing with a workaholic colleague. The constant comparisons between your own capacity and output, along with the thoughts of “Am I working hard enough?”, can lead to feelings of inadequacy and lead you to follow in their footsteps. This can result in overextending yourself in an attempt to “catch up” and burnout.

It’s essential to be mindful of your own mindset and avoid extremist thinking. You shouldn’t feel guilty for taking time off for self-care, as this is essential to maintaining a healthy work-life balance and improving your performance. Remember, there’s a difference between working hard and overworking, and it’s essential to find a balance that works best for you.

If your workaholic colleague tries to make you feel guilty for not working as much as they do, it’s important to address the issue head-on. You can calmly and assertively explain that you see value in balancing your work and personal life, and that you’ve found it to be beneficial for you in various ways. You can also emphasize that you don’t believe in the idea that working around the clock is better, and that taking time for self-care can help alleviate a lot of unnecessary stress.

Saying ‘no’ to peer pressure at work

Set boundaries

If you find yourself working alongside a workaholic, it’s crucial to establish healthy boundaries to maintain your well-being and avoid burnout. Workaholics often have a tendency to say yes to every request and sacrifice their own time to accommodate last-minute changes. To avoid falling into similar patterns, you need to be clear and assertive about your availability and response times. For example, if your colleague requests a project to be completed within 24 hours, you can respectfully decline and explain that you need at least a three-day notice to work it into your schedule.

Additionally, advocating for better systems and processes can help reduce the amount of excessive effort required for tasks. When setting boundaries, it’s normal for your workaholic colleague to resist or become upset initially, but it’s crucial to stick to your stance and enforce consequences if necessary.

One more thing you need to consider is to shift your perspective on productivity. The number of hours you work shouldn’t be the sole indicator of success. Instead, focus on the quality of the work you produce and the results you deliver. Being a great employee doesn’t always mean working more, but rather working efficiently and effectively.

Remember, it’s important to find what works best for you and to make changes if necessary. A happy work environment can lead to increased productivity, job satisfaction, and overall well-being.