New study reveals link between workaholism and organizational harm

The hidden ethical costs of workaholism have been highlighted in an important new study.

Workaholism is an inner pressure to work that can provide a sense of fulfilment but can lead to physical and psychological problems, relationship issues and burnout.

The study, published in the Journal of Organizational Behavior, showed that this pressure can interfere with moral self-regulation and subsequent ethical behavior, particularly in organizations that prioritize bottom-line results and self-interest.

An international team of researchers conducted two surveys to study workplace behavior. They gathered responses from employees in Italy (505 people) and the UK (1,046 people) over three different points in time. Their findings show that being a workaholic 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, even when they see something wrong.

The research draws on the social cognitive theory of morality, which suggests that moral behavior is regulated by personal standards and social norms. The researchers found that moral disengagement acts as a critical mediator between workaholism and employee silence or moral voice. Workaholism increases tendencies to morally disengage which, in turn, led to less moral voice and more employee silence.

Another finding surrounded the role of the organizational context. The study revealed that a perceived climate of self-interest, where employees believe that individual gain is prioritized over other values such as norms or collective welfare, amplifies the negative effects of workaholism. In these environments, workaholics were even more prone to morally disengage, further diminishing their likelihood of addressing ethical issues.

“We often think of workaholism as a personal struggle or even a badge of dedication, but our research shows it has far-reaching consequences,” the lead author said. “Workaholics, who’re focused intensely on task completion and personal achievement, tend to disengage from their moral standards. This leads them to rationalize silence in the face of unethical practices, which can preserve behaviors and practices that are potentially damaging to organizations and society at large.

“Our findings highlight the critical need for organizations 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.”

“Workaholics justify withholding their voice by convincing themselves that their silence is harmless or justified as they need to prioritize finishing their tasks,” the researchers added. “But by doing so, they fail to address pressing organizational issues such as safety risks, unethical leadership, or inefficiencies that affect their colleagues and stakeholders.

“By normalizing silence and neglecting ethical concerns, organizations risk perpetuating harm to employees, stakeholders, and society. It’s not just about individual wellbeing - it’s about organizational sustainability.”

My take: Employers need to move beyond seeing long hours and over-dedication as signs of commitment. Instead, they should foster an organizational culture that rewards ethical behavior, encourages moral voice, and reduces pressures that lead to excessive working.

Earlier studies (also reported in TR) have shown that as well as unethical behavior, workaholism can lead to bullying and abuse in the workplace (and in the schoolyard for that matter). These studies have shown that humans have a limited capacity for ethical conduct, and that excessive work wears down that capability.

One of the interesting findings of the prior work is that snacks can lead to a refilling of the ethical tank through the influence of glutamate - which is a food-engendered reward neurochemical. Glutamate enhancement can also lead to a reduction of bullying and an openness to new ideas and flexibility.