Navigating the green tightrope: on the complex interplay between workaholism and non-green behaviors

Purpose Current research remains overwhelmingly tilted toward pro-environmental behaviors, largely neglecting their environmentally harmful counterparts. Addressing this blind spot in non-green behaviors is essential for advancing theory and designing effective interventions. Against this backdrop, we argue that workaholism, by depleting individuals’ resources, increases the likelihood of cutting corners and thereby increases engagement in non-green behaviors. We further argue that green self-efficacy and individual green values moderate this relationship, influencing the extent to which workaholism and corner-cutting translate into environmentally detrimental behaviors. Design/methodology/approach We collected three-wave, three-week time-lagged data from full-time employees in southeastern Nigeria using a paper-and-pencil questionnaire distributed through convenience sampling. We tested the hypotheses with partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Findings The findings confirmed a positive relationship between workaholism, cutting corners and non-green behaviors. Specifically, cutting corners not only increased non-green behaviors but also partially mediated the workaholism–non-green behaviors relationship. Additionally, while green self-efficacy attenuated the direct link between workaholism and non-green behaviors, individual green values did not moderate the relationship between cutting corners and non-green behaviors. Practical implications Auditing workflows to minimize process bottlenecks can offer modest, systemic safeguards against environmental non-compliance. Furthermore, providing explicit conservation instructions and positive reinforcement may help buffer against sustainable task omission. Originality/value This study offers insights into how workaholism directly and indirectly contributes to employees’ non-green behaviors. By examining the moderating roles of green self-efficacy and individual green values, the study further clarifies the conditions under which workaholism and cutting corners result in non-green behaviors.