According to Steve Tappin, author of The Secrets of CEOs, the vast majority of the average Chief Executive Officer’s (CEO) week is dominated by 12 emotions of a possible 34 000 including intense stress, frustration, disappointment, irritation and being overwhelmed. “In response to these emotions the body secretes an increased amount of cortisol, also known as the stress hormone. Many studies have linked chronic cortisol secretion to heart attacks, cancer and metabolic syndrome, a risk factor for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In short, the study shows that being a CEO could in fact be bad for your health”, says Professor Jacques Snyman.
From a local perspective however, it would seem that these health risks extend far beyond the corporate boardroom. A 2011 Ipsos Global and Reuters survey found South Africa to be the third most workaholic nation in the world following Australia (second) and Japan (first). The results strongly suggest that ordinary working South Africans could be exposing themselves to the same health risks as global CEOs.
“Further aggravating the situation is that workaholics are more likely to show up for work while ill, ignore obvious health warning signs to avoid taking a day off and are less likely to seek medical advice, believing that the problem will simply disappear in time. Combined with the aforementioned health risks that workaholics typically predispose themselves to, we’re looking at a potentially lethal cocktail” Snyman emphasises.
From an employer’s point of view, the long-term implications could be equally devastating in the form of eventual absenteeism and lost of productivity. “The solution generally requires remedial action which implies workplace interventions including counselling sessions to assist employees in establishing a healthy work-life balance and equipping “workaholics” with the necessary coping skills. The aim is to identify “workaholics” and not leave them to their own devices to eventually seek help as, by this time, it may be too late”, Snyman says.
Extract from The Citizen – 6 March 2012 – Professor Jacques Snyman