Menace of workaholism

Letter August 09, 2020
Discipline, dedication and responsibility are some of the many qualities that define a perfect corporate employee, irrespective of their education or their field.

KARACHI:

Discipline, dedication and responsibility are some of the many qualities that define a perfect corporate employee, irrespective of their education or their field. But many fail to mention the toxic attributes such as selfishness and arrogance associated with those that head the corporate sector. As a result, employees have been reduced to mere modern-day slaves, who not only put in countless hours of redundant work but are also forced to work over-time during the weekends, all while receiving minimal pay.

This is not only unprofessional but also highly dangerous as it can cause severe psychological and physical stress which may result in mental illness. The idea of workaholism has become a positive attribute that “others should strive to achieve”. Over-working one’s self is not impressive, neither is it a quality that should be extensively glorified. Instead it creates a vicious cycle in which a person’s life revolves around staring at computer screens in order to meet multiple deadlines all day long, subsequently impacting household and personal relationships. Many have even claimed workaholism to be an obsessive compulsive disorder which prevents a person from having personal interests, maintaining healthy relationships and taking measures to protect their health.

It is essential for all employees and professionals, no matter what their position, to lead a healthy lifestyle by balancing their professional and personal life. No one should work compulsively at the cost of their health.

Nida Zafar

Islamabad

Published in The Express Tribune, August 9th, 2020.

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