The Economics of Workaholism: We Should Not Have Worked on This Paper

Daniel Hamermesh and Joel Slemrod

No 11566, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: A large literature examines the addictive properties of such behaviors as smoking, drinking alcohol and eating. We argue that for some people addictive behavior may apply to a much more central aspect of economic life: working. Workaholism is subject to the same concerns about the individual as other addictions, is more likely to be a problem of higher-income individuals, and can, under conditions of jointness in the workplace or the household, generate negative spillovers onto individuals around the workaholic. Using the Retirement History Survey and the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, we find evidence that is consistent with the idea that high-income, highly educated people suffer from workaholism with regard to retiring, in that they are more likely to postpone earlier plans for retirement. The evidence and theory suggest that the negative effects of workaholism can be addressed with a more progressive income tax system than would be appropriate in the absence of this behavior.

JEL-codes: D91 H24 J22 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2005-08
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-bec, nep-ltv and nep-pbe
Note: LS PE
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

Published as Contributions in Economic Analysis and Policy, vol 8, no. 1, January 2008.
Published as Daniel S. Hamermesh & Joel B. Slemrod, 2008. "The Economics of Workaholism: We Should Not Have Worked on This Paper," The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, Berkeley Electronic Press, vol. 8(1), pages 3.

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Journal Article: The Economics of Workaholism: We Should Not Have Worked on This Paper (2008)
Working Paper: The Economics of Workaholism: We Should Not Have Worked on This Paper (2005)
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