Workaholic Bosses—How to Survive Them

Q. I’m worn out. I think my new boss is a workaholic. He expects all of us to keep up with him. No matter how well we meet our goals, he wants us to do better. He brags that he works a 70-hour week, takes work home for the weekend, and hints we should do the same. How can we handle him? He treats us like failures. —Brandon V.

A. Workaholics can cause more long-term problems than the short-term results they deliver—or seem to deliver. In fact, they’re often so consumed with doing more and more that they’re not able to see the bigger picture, or engage in more creative problem-solving. The result is they and everyone whose work they direct are often more unproductive in the long haul.

A workaholic is someone who is driven obsessively to work harder, longer or faster than expected—or needed. The key phrase is “driven obsessively.” This can exclude the person who loves his or her work so much that it’s really “play” for them. The workaholic is like an alcoholic, a drug user or compulsive gambler—but the dependency is work, not a chemical or gambling. But the impact on those around him or her is just as devastating.

There are several ways to spot a workaholic from the simply enthusiastic and dedicated worker. The clearest sign is the inner peace, happiness and the non-judgmental attitude the non-workaholic projects. He or she is comfortable when those around him are working more normal hours or at a slower pace (as long as they’re meeting their job goals.)

The workaholic often shows disappointment—even anger—when he sees a co-worker

or subordinate apparently enjoying life and family more than he is. (By the way, workaholic behavior is evenly distributed among men and women—like any other dependency.)

Is He a Workaholic?

Is your boss a workaholic? If he could answer “Yes” to four or more of these questions, you have a decision to make: either deal with it, or work elsewhere.

Does he wish people would mind their own business about his

working—stop suggesting that he should ease up a little?

Has he ever switched from one kind of task to another, hoping that

this would keep him from getting exhausted?

Does he seem to envy people who can work peacefully and relaxed?

Has he had people-management problems connected with work during the past year?

Has his working caused trouble at home?

Does he take on extra assignments at work because he thinks he’s not doing enough?

Does he tell himself he can stop working any time he wants to, even

though he keeps getting buried in work?

Has he missed vacation, time off, or holidays because of working?

Has he ever thought that the company, department, the work, would fail if he didn’t work so hard?

Has he ever decided not to work as hard as usual for a week or so,

but the “work break” lasted for a few days?

Any of these questions may sound familiar to you? They’re taken from the ten

questions Alcoholics Anonymous suggests people ask themselves if they think they may have a drinking problem. All I did was substitute “working” for “drinking.” You could also substitute gambling, an eating disorder or any other obsessive, compulsive behavior—and spot the same behavior problem.

Time to set Boundaries?

If you decide to continue working for him or her, you have two choices: do as he says, or set work boundaries for what you think is reasonable for you. You cannot change him or her—any more than you can change anyone. It may not do any good to go over his head, either. Many companies allow or even encourage workaholic behavior, thinking they’re really getting a bargain when one person does the work of two, and drives others to do the same. They like it when they hear, “My people give 150 percent.”

Trouble is, people who are forced to give 150 percent tend to wear out fast.

Unlike the battery-run bunny, they usually need some time to shut down or work more slowly until their body and mind get back to normal. Or they have strokes, heart attacks—or start looking for work elsewhere. A smarter, better way to work—is to give 100 percent all the time.

If you decide to stay and set limits, be prepared to document that you’re meeting

or exceeding requirements as you work at your speed. And you’ll have to learn to say “No” politely and hold your ground on some tasks. You’ll also have to focus on maintaining a strong self-image, confidence in yourself and inner peace—despite the craziness around you—and the implied or direct criticism from the workaholic boss.