Ergophobia also called Ergasiophobia, is an abnormal and persistent fear (or phobia) of work, finding work or functioning. Sufferers of ergophobia experience undue anxiety about the workplace environment even though they realize their fear is irrational. Their fear may actually be a combination of fears, such fear of failing at assigned tasks, fear of speaking before groups at work, or fear of socializing with co-workers. As with any type of phobia, ergophobia may have developed from an incident of trauma at some earlier point in a person’s life. Losing a job or being mocked or maligned for poor work in the past could be a couple of reasons why people develop this fear

“Ergophobia” is derived from the Greek “ergon” (work) and “phobos” (fear). “Ergo” is also used to form other English words, including “ergometer” (a device that measures the amount of work done by muscles) and “ergonomics” (an applied science that designs office equipment and furniture with the aim of maximizing functionality and improving worker comfort).