Looking forward: How anticipated workload change influences the present workload–emotional strain relationship.

Abstract

Many workers experience ebbs and flows of workload in concert with busy seasons, changing project demands, and changes to the way tasks are completed. The present study examined how anticipating workload changes influences emotional strain resulting from current workload. We extend conservation of resources theory (Hobfoll, 1989) by hypothesizing that anticipated changes in workload may be viewed as a future opportunity to recover from current workload (in the case of anticipated workload decrease) or as a threat of loss of resources (in the case of anticipated workload increase), and that anticipated changes in workload would moderate the current workload-emotional strain relationship. Using a sample of employees engaged in project-based work, we found that anticipation of a workload increase exacerbated the current workload-emotional strain relationship and anticipation of a workload decrease buffered this relationship. The results suggest that stressor-strain relations may be influenced by anticipated change in stressor conditions. In other words, employees are more likely to tolerate stressful circumstances if they see the proverbial "light at the end of the tunnel." Implications for occupational stress research and practice are discussed.

Hidden costs of anticipated workload for individuals and partners: Exploring the role of daily fluctuations in workaholism.

“…Drawing from whole trait theory (Fleeson, 2001), we found support for our hypothesis that perceptions of anticipated workload each morning correlate with higher reports of compulsive feelings, thoughts, and behaviors toward one’s work (i.e., daily fluctuations in workaholism) as well as strain outcomes (i.e., fatigue). These results complement findings from recent studies (Casper & Sonnentag, 2020; DiStaso & Shoss, 2020; Rosen et al, 2020) that have explored anticipated workload from theoretical perspectives such as the transactional model of stress (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984) and conservation of resources theory (Hobfoll, 1989). We encourage future studies to integrate these theoretical perspectives to examine the role of appraisals of one’s workload (i.e., challenge, hindrance, and threat appraisals) to explain within-individual variation in workaholism.…”

“…The present study addresses calls by scholars to further investigate the role of anticipatory processes in the workplace, particularly anticipatory processes prior to the start of one’s workday (Casper et al, 2017; Casper & Sonnentag, 2020). Very few studies have examined the role of anticipated workload in the literature until recently (Casper & Sonnentag, 2020; DiStaso & Shoss, 2020; Rosen et al, 2020). Drawing from whole trait theory (Fleeson, 2001), we found support for our hypothesis that perceptions of anticipated workload each morning correlate with higher reports of compulsive feelings, thoughts, and behaviors toward one’s work (i.e., daily fluctuations in workaholism) as well as strain outcomes (i.e., fatigue).…”

“…Second, our study contributes to a better understanding of the job stress process. Although there have been numerous studies of day-to-day stressor–strain dynamics in the workplace, the anticipatory phase has been largely neglected (Brosschot et al, 2006; DiStaso & Shoss, 2020; Meurs and Perrewé, 2011). The anticipation phase is a critical part of the stress process, as this is a period of “action preparation” in which employees can mentally and physically prepare for a stressor (Brosschot et al, 2006; Lazarus & Folkman, 1984).…”

A Diary Study on Anticipated Leisure Time, Morning Recovery, and Employees’ Work Engagement

“…First, we investigate whether the anticipation of upcoming leisure time and present work engagement are related. We thereby add to previous research on anticipation in the working context [ 15 , 16 , 21 ]. Because the anticipation of upcoming events plays an important role in individuals’ behaviour, feelings, and cognitions (e.g., [ 22 , 23 ]), and leisure time is a recursive part of employees’ daily lives, the current research aims at investigating further precursors of employees’ work engagement.…”

“…Research has shown that, for instance, the threat of a resource loss (i.e., an anticipated resource loss) decreased performance in an experimental study [ 30 ]. Furthermore, the anticipation of less workload in the future (i.e., more time for potential resource gains) relates to lower strain in the present [ 21 ]. Thus, evidence exists that anticipated resource gains and losses are associated with employees’ current states and behaviours.…”