HBR Guides to Managing Your Career Collection (6 Books)

CHAPTER 20

The Difference Between Workaholics and Working Long Hours

by Lieke ten Brummelhuis and Nancy P. Rothbard

Hanna, a finance director at an international home care retailer, works long hours. She’s usually in the office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but at home, when her three children go to sleep, she’ll work another four hours, not closing her laptop until midnight. She sometimes also works on weekends. But even though she works 60 to 65 hours per week, she told us that she can “switch off” when she needs to, and that she still feels energetic every day. She hasn’t had to worry about her health.

Michael, the director of strategy for an American insurance company, does not work as much as Hanna. His workdays usually start at 8 a.m. and finish ...