ABSTRACT

Constant connectivity is prevalent in modern workplaces, aided by smartphones and email. Supervisors may further pressure their subordinates to remain connected to work through their after-hours communications. We develop the concept of supervisor off-work boundary infringements (SBI) or supervisor intrusions during subordinates’ nonwork hours, which are becoming widespread due to expectations of immediate accessibility. Through the conservation of resources theory lens, we explore whether these unnecessary intrusions by supervisors increase subordinate strain outcomes (i.e. job tension and depressed mood at work). We also examine the role of perspective-taking, a cognitive resource deployed as a coping strategy that allows individuals to understand the viewpoint of others, which in turn facilitates changes in one’s attitudes and behaviours. Specifically, we propose that employee perspective-taking can lessen the adverse effects of SBI. Across a four-study constructive replication, we find evidence that SBI positively relates to job tension and a depressed mood at work. Heightened levels of perspective-taking attenuated this relationship. Our study presents evidence that individuals who engage in perspective-taking can protect themselves by buffering the adverse effects of SBI. Importantly, we advocate for corporate policies and laws that protect workers from SBI and encourage supervisors to cease such infringements on their employees.

摘要

在智能手机和电子邮件的帮助下，持续的连接在现代工作场所很普遍。主管可能会通过下班后的沟通进一步迫使下属保持工作联系。我们提出了主管下班边界违规 (SBI)的概念或上级在下属非工作时间的侵入，由于期望能够立即访问，这种情况变得越来越普遍。通过资源节约理论的视角，我们探讨了主管的这些不必要的干扰是否会增加下属的紧张结果（即工作紧张和工作情绪低落）。我们还研究了观点采择的作用，这是一种作为应对策略的认知资源，使个人能够理解他人的观点，从而促进个人态度和行为的改变。具体来说，我们建议员工换位思考可以减轻 SBI 的不利影响。通过四项研究的建设性重复，我们发现证据表明 SBI 与工作紧张和工作抑郁情绪呈正相关。换位思考水平的提高削弱了这种关系。我们的研究提供的证据表明，采取观点采择的个人可以通过缓冲 SBI 的不利影响来保护自己。重要的是，我们倡导保护员工免受 SBI 侵害的公司政策和法律，并鼓励主管停止对其员工的此类侵权行为。