Workaholism Can Cause Organisational Harm, Says University Study

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21 February 2025

Workaholism can make employees morally disengaged and less likely to address safety risks, according to a study led by Aston University and University of Leipzig researchers.

Two workplace behaviour studies, in Italy and the UK, showed that workaholics can cause people to become less engaged with their moral values. This makes them less likely to speak up about ethical problems they notice at work and more likely to stay silent when they see something wrong.

“We often think of workaholism as a personal struggle or even a badge of dedication, but our research shows it has far-reaching consequences,” said Roberta Fida, Professor of Organisational Behaviour and Organisational Psychology at Aston University.

Workaholism is not just someone who works long hours, but is defined as an approach to work where a person works extensively to boost their self-esteem and fulfil their needs for achievement and control. Psychological studies have shown that a side effect of workaholism is a sensitivity to situations which might impede their ability to work, making them “risk-averse to tasks and events that threaten this work–achievement link.” This can lead to negative feelings when prevented from working, perfectionism, aggression, and difficulty delegating.

Funded by INAIL (the Italian National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work), the study found that workaholism increases tendencies to morally disengage which can lead to more employee silence.

“Workaholics, focused intensely on task completion and personal achievement, tend to disengage from their moral standards.This leads them to rationalise silence in the face of unethical practices, which can preserve behaviours and practices that are potentially damaging to organisations and society at large,” continued  Professor Fida.

“Our findings highlight the critical need for organisations to rethink their workplace cultures, particularly in sectors where bottom-line mentalities dominate. When workaholism and a self-interested culture converge, the result isn’t just burnout - it’s a systemic erosion of ethical standards.”

Dr Michael Knoll, Research Fellow in Cultural Sociology at the University of Leipzig added: “Workaholics justify withholding their voice by convincing themselves that their silence is harmless or justified as they need to prioritise finishing their tasks.

“But by doing so, they fail to address pressing organisational issues such as safety risks, unethical leadership, or inefficiencies that affect their colleagues and stakeholders.

“By normalising silence and neglecting ethical concerns, organisations risk perpetuating harm to employees, stakeholders, and society. It’s not just about individual well-being—it’s about organisational sustainability.

“Employers need to move beyond seeing long hours and over-dedication as signs of commitment. Instead, they should foster an organisational culture that rewards ethical behaviour, encourages moral voice, and reduces pressures that lead to excessive working.”

Picture: a graphic showing a person writing at a desk, next to a laptop. Image Credit: Pixabay 

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 21 February 2025

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