Workaholism vs work engagement — passion or compulsion?
Researchers call this distinction "the good and bad forms of working hard". Engagement is vigour, dedication and absorption in work — it correlates with better health, creativity and… a better private life. The engine: pleasure and meaning.
Workaholism is an inner compulsion: you work to quiet anxiety and guilt, you cannot stop, and rest triggers a guilty conscience. The engine: fear. It correlates with insomnia, relationship conflict and — paradoxically — not with better results at all.
A practical test: what do you feel on a free Sunday with no obligations? The engaged person: recovery and appetite for Monday. The workaholic: restlessness, irritability and a compulsion to "catch up". Both questionnaires will help you see the proportions.
When to use: Workaholism Test (10 items)
- You cannot stop working despite promising yourself change
- Rest triggers guilt in you
- People close to you say work consumes you too much
When to use: Work Engagement — UWES-9 (9 items)
- You want to measure vigour, dedication and absorption at work
- You are checking whether your high activity is healthy passion
- You are interested in positive work psychology
Not sure? Take both tests!