Six Minute English: workaholism	

workaholism	to experience of long-term physical and emotional exhaustion, usually work-related	
work-life balance	a condition where someone works all the time and finds it difficult to stop	
quality of life	standard or recognised behaviour	
a secondary issue	the level of output that can be achieved within a certain time	
the 'norm'	the right combination of working and having a fulfilling personal life, spending time with friends and family etc.	
burn out	something that comes second in importance to something else	
productivity	the enjoyment of life at a basic level, which includes being happy and healthy, rather than having lots of money	

Discuss with your partner(s)
How many hours a week do you work on average? 
What is the norm in terms of working hours in Hong Kong in your industry?
Do you think you have got the work-life balance right?
Do you ever burn out? What can you do to avoid burning out?
Do you know anyone who is a workaholic? Are they happy? Would you recommend their lifestyle?
Do you think that workaholics are more productive than other workers? What makes someone productive in your opinion? What could the organization you work do to make its workers more productive?
Do you agree that earning as much money as possible should be the main consideration for most people and that quality of life is a secondary issue?

Answers	

workaholism	a condition where someone works all the time and finds it difficult to stop	
work-life balance	the right combination of working and having a fulfilling personal life, spending time with friends and family etc.	
quality of life	the enjoyment of life at a basic level, which includes being happy and healthy, rather than having lots of money	
a secondary issue	something that comes second in importance to something else	
the 'norm'	standard or recognised behaviour
	
burn out	to experience of long-term physical and emotional exhaustion, usually work-related	
productivity	of the level output that can be achieved within a certain time