Workaholism: Hazards and Benefits

There has been a lot of hullabaloo recently about the problems faced by Australia and keep talented employees and the subsequent pressure on the remaining behind the workplace.

The incidence in stress and the increase in claims, the impact on the economy and businesses in general .

The cases of people who "day by day", which in many ways are closet workaholics is increasing.We is said that 1 in 5 Australians suffer from some form of mental illness and that 1 in 7 teenagers in the High School suffering from depression . This stems from the research showed, but my guess is that there probably is higher, after all these issues are still quite taboo in our society.

Why's richest and the unhappiest people in the cemetery? Take a walk through the local cemetery and sometimes read the inscriptions - it's really quite interesting what you always read.

People crankier and less tolerant, and the workplace is rapidly become a battleground where many emotions wasted argy bargy, meetings and grievances.

It petty crime could be argued that "work addiction" may be partly helped by the ageing of the population, different expectations generational change, talented and offshore workers, the move from permanent employment to contract work. The lesson is simple untrue.

The seems to be that some work and others do not, slaving away plus 12 hours per day for the wolf from the door, the mortgage is paid, the annual holiday and everything else, and what drives their buttons Victims and quality of life - for what? .

Australia has one of the most highly skilled unemployed "workers" in the world.

I believe deeply in the fields of education and as a wise man said: "If you think education is expensive try ignorance." I am committed to lifelong learning as long as it benefits my customers and me.

But what about the general approach to the sharing of the burden and the search for our company back yard.

Why not learn from their mistakes, the responsibility (a Dirty word today) and to ensure that they are adequately resourced and are taking the time and its people. Or could it be that the relentless drive for shareholder value has blinded the eyes of these executives who are in their ivory tower issuing edicts mindless of the fact that among them is often a smoking powder keg. If you were inaugurated to the previous undertakings secrets, which I was when I was CEO, and the senseless way but my superiors and treat their employees, it would be shocked. Or if I was in the bank and how the bank paid $ 500000 1994 in addition to other amounts, which is cleverly disguised in different ways just to get rid people.

In my daily work as a strategic human resource management consultant, I am privy The heartaches of people tell me they like their difficulties. Most of these problems to other colleagues or overwork. Chronic fatigue has a huge impact of personal health, family and society productivity.

I must confess that I was once a workaholic for many years before a heart pulled me scared at the time and thankfully, without a great damage to my health. This is not only my story, but one of many that shows the true story that I was involved with (names and identities have been changed) .

The following is a true story with details changed to protect the general was privacy.

Liam One manager Organization, in New South Wales and Queensland. He was very experienced in his field and was a workaholic secret for 15 years.

He were employed to help the company back on track after the parent company overseas, the cleaning staff by management, and left the company drift for 3 months without leadership

Soon afternoon the start, he began to experience increased pressure and the mantra seemed to be: "I got on the rail all the dead long'

Yes day, it was turnover, turnover, turnover, profit, profit, profit, and come hell or high - water 'without regard for the workers, as lazy.

For the first 6 months Liam worked hard to increase the company's standard. This is often necessary to travel away from Liam home.

Liam started in some credible results, and after 6 months had NSW and QLD together as a team for the first time in 12 years, and sales and profits increase. This came to the notice of overseas parents, but the pressure was not lessoned. This was in spite of him working 14 -16 hours days.

Liam was not happy and looked at his options. He took the opportunity to resign, although he had to leave at the workplace health and safety guidelines. In his resignation letter he submitted his concern about the company against the duty of care, and other cases are known, which he had brought with him and the management that he is not in a position to the proper discharge requested.

I he had been associated with this process Liam represented in the talks with the chairman of the Board.

What says the law?

Under the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995, employers have a duty to ensure that the health and safety of workers by the management of all risks in the workplace. These include physical, mental and emotional. In addition, the employer under a common-law duty of care, and is found liable if they break the law and a violation of the statutory and common law obligations are proven. There are severe penalties for individuals and organizations that disregard for the law.

All employers have a duty to fully investment costs and realistic about the job offer. For more information, see the article (www.biz-momentum.com) Biz Momentum, which are available for free download from charge.

What the company should have done?

� The company would in a workplace stress policy.

� Management should have their duty of care under the Health and Safety at Work seriously. In this case, workers began to suffer because of mismanagement.

� The company had a policy of shorter working hours and what constitutes reasonable expectations for the period after hours, including the work management.

� The company should have Liam reports and discussions Ernst and examines his concerns.

� The company had a general duty of care to ensure that there are adequate to cover workers work.

� The company should have consulted their industrial or legal professionals

� The company should be given sufficient time and again Liam re - Grae his position. He had more than proved that he could successfully through the financial records and Liam results.

What should have done?

� Liam followed the correct procedures to document their difficulties and speak with management

� Liam held this file notes discussions.

� He claimed that was abandoned only reluctantly, but only for 1 week, are not sufficient to recover.

� He should have gone to his doctor and the advice and, in my view, in the long run by leaving WH & S.

� Liam took industrial advice.

� Taken advice - we all have problems sometimes, in conversation with someone else can help resolve.

The Wash-up

I meeting with the Chairman of the Board and stressed the seriousness of the situation Liam's. Yes, the president understood and acknowledged it had some wrong from the company.

As Liam had voluntary resignation of the chairman suggested that a payment in the amount of 60000 US dollars offered as payment without prejudice on the signing of a deed of release.

It Liam was ultimately's election and he accepted.

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