Why Most Workers Identify As Workaholics, Despite Knowing the Health Risks of Extra Hours

Editor’s Observe: This story initially appeared on Monster.

As conversations about burnout and work-life steadiness proceed, lengthy hours stay frequent throughout the workforce. Monster’s Workaholics Report finds that for a lot of full-time staff, working past 40 hours per week shouldn’t be the exception however the norm. In truth, most employees now describe themselves as a minimum of considerably workaholic.

Primarily based on a nationwide survey of greater than 800 full-time employees, the findings counsel that overwork is commonly formed by office tradition and expectations, even when it doesn’t enhance efficiency.

Whereas lengthy hours are extensively accepted, the private {and professional} prices are troublesome to disregard.

Key findings

• Workaholism is widespread: 76% of full-time employees take into account themselves a minimum of considerably workaholic and 45% say they’re positively workaholic
• Lengthy hours are normalized: 73% of employees report frequently working greater than 40 hours per week
• Further hours don’t equal higher work: 80% of employees say that working past 40 hours doesn’t enhance the standard of their work
• Tradition influences overwork: Almost half of employees (47%) say employer expectations or firm tradition are the highest causes they overwork
• Burnout impacts well being and life: 85% of employees report unfavourable psychological or bodily well being impacts from overworking

Workaholism is now a part of regular work life

Work hours are getting longer, and for a lot of employees, the label workaholic shouldn’t be seen as a unfavourable. In line with Monster’s report, most individuals are placing in additional hours than the normal 40-hour workweek, and many don’t see that as an issue.

Within the survey, 76% of employees mentioned they’re a minimum of considerably workaholic. This consists of 45% who mentioned they’re positively workaholic.

When requested how they might really feel if somebody referred to as them a workaholic, practically two-thirds mentioned the label would really feel optimistic or impartial. 35% mentioned they might really feel complimented, 27% revered, and 38% impartial in regards to the time period. Far fewer mentioned they might really feel insulted or disrespected.

This implies that overwork has develop into extra socially accepted, even when it’s linked to emphasize and burnout.

Most employees exceed 40 hours per week

Working longer hours has develop into normal for a lot of. When requested about their typical weekly hours labored, right here’s what employees reported:

• 35-39 hours: 11%
• 40 hours: 16%
• 41-45 hours: 22%
• 46-50 hours: 18%
• 51-55 hours: 11%
• 56-60 hours: 11%
• greater than 60 hours: 11%

Which means practically three-quarters of employees report working greater than a typical 40-hour week.

Why extra time has develop into frequent

The explanations employees cite for overworking level to tradition and expectations greater than private selection. Right here’s how employees responded when requested about what triggers workaholic tendencies:

• Employer expectations or firm tradition: 47%
• Private ambition or need for development: 44%
• Lack of boundaries between work and private life: 31%
• Monetary pressures: 28%
• Worry of job loss or layoffs: 25%

This mixture of exterior and inner drivers exhibits that many employees really feel strain from the work surroundings itself in addition to their very own objectives.

Longer hours don’t enhance productiveness for many

A key discovering from the report is that longer hours are usually not linked to higher work high quality. Amongst employees who transcend a 40-hour week:

• 64% say their high quality of labor stays the identical
• 16% say their high quality of labor declines
• 20% say high quality improves

This implies that additional hours might not ship the worth many employees imagine they are going to get by placing in additional time.

Overwork has actual penalties

Though lengthy hours might really feel regular, the impression on employees is important. When requested in regards to the results of overworking:

• 50% reported psychological well being challenges reminiscent of stress, anxiousness, or burnout
• 49% reported bodily well being impacts together with disrupted sleep or decreased train
• 39% mentioned their private relationships suffered
• Solely 15% mentioned they skilled no unfavourable impression

Multiple-third of employees (38%) additionally mentioned they really feel very or extraordinarily pressured to be obtainable exterior scheduled work hours.

What job seekers and employees ought to know

In case you are coming into, reentering, or advancing within the workforce, this report highlights a number of vital traits:

• Be clear on expectations: Earlier than accepting a task, ask about typical hours and what worklife steadiness seems like. If the tradition values fixed availability, know the way which will have an effect on your schedule.
• Set boundaries: If overwork is normalized in your office, establish the moments you may shield your private time and talk boundaries clearly.
• Deal with outcomes: If additional hours are usually not bettering your output, take into account what objectives or efficiency indicators matter most to your crew and employer.
• Assess your personal priorities: Work that feels significant is efficacious however not on the expense of well being or relationships. Know what tradeoffs you’re keen to make.

Backside line

Lengthy hours and workaholic habits are actually frequent for a lot of employees. Whereas being devoted to your job might be optimistic, working extra hours doesn’t essentially enhance efficiency and may negatively have an effect on well being and life exterior work.

Understanding how overwork influences your profession and what you may management might assist you discover higher steadiness in your skilled life.

Methodology

The findings on this report are primarily based on a survey carried out by Monster in October 2025 amongst 807 U.S. employees employed full-time.

Individuals answered a mixture of sure/no, single‑choice, and a number of‑selection questions on their expertise with overwork and the impression on productiveness, well being, and private life.

The pattern included employees throughout a spread of industries, age teams, genders, and training ranges to replicate the range of the U.S. workforce.