Understanding the Psychological Impact of Overwork and Its Effects on Employee Diversity

In today's hyper-competitive professional environments, overwork has become a normalized feature of workplace culture, often praised as a marker of commitment and ambition. Yet beneath this surface lies a complex psychological toll that disproportionately impacts employees from underrepresented and marginalized groups. This chapter explores the intersection of overwork and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), revealing how the constant pressure to do more can quietly erode well-being, motivation, and belonging among diverse employees. Through a multidisciplinary lens—drawing from organizational psychology, sociology, and critical diversity studies—it examines how overwork interacts with systemic inequities, amplifying stress for women, racial and ethnic minorities, caregivers, neurodivergent individuals, and others navigating multiple identity pressures. The chapter challenges prevailing assumptions that performance is best measured by hours worked, offering a counter-narrative rooted in sustainable equity.