School Leadership Inducing Workaholism in Teachers: A Case of Secondary Schools

Author(s) : Iram Parveen, Riffat-un-Nisa, & Uzair-ul-Hassan

Abstract:

The study investigates relationship between leadership styles of school heads as perceived by teachers (n=272) with teachers’ Workaholism.  It is assumed that workaholism, is a negative work behaviour that should be avoided through organizational factors, might be responsible for triggering workaholic behaviours in teachers.   Leadership styles of school heads had been explored using The MultifactorLeadership Questionaire, The MLQ (FORM5X) in terms of transformational, transactional and avoidant leadership whereas teachers’ workaholic behaviours had been explored by administering DUWAS, Work Addiction Scale (shorter version) respectively. The universe of the study were school teachers from districts in Punjab  (including both rural and urban areas) comprising sample of 272 (n=272) using convenience sampling technique. Results of statistical correlations using Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient (PPMCC) showed that leadership is related to workaholism (r=.169). Particularly, transformational leadership and transactional leadership i.e. contingent reward management, management by exception-Active, management by exception-Passive positively relates to workaholism. Where as avoidant leadership is negatively related to teachers’ workaholism. The study confirms that leadership styles are correlated to teachers’ workaholism indicating that excessive rewards, punitive culture, passive, avoidant leadership, and even transformational leadership, being the most effective form of leadership trigger workaholic behaviours in teachers. Workaholism, being negative work behaviour and having lasting negative impact on employees general well being, must be avoided.
 
Keywords:  Workaholism, Leadership, Secondary Schools