Abstract
While common in many workplaces, intrusions –i.e., interruptions in task progress while engaged in a task – have not been well studied yet. Building on conservation of resources theory and the job demands-resources model, we examined relationships between intrusions, increased fatigue, and decreased perceived job performance. Three pilot studies were conducted to develop a survey measure of intrusions and to establish its psychometric properties. The main study examined relationships between intrusions at the beginning of the workweek and fatigue and perceived job performance over the course of the week. Results indicate that intrusions on Monday were indirectly related to increased fatigue on Thursday through increased fatigue on Tuesday and Wednesday. Results were not significant for perceived job performance. The results highlight the relevance of intrusions at work for employee experiences beyond the day on which they occur pointing to a loss of individual resources over the course of the workweek.
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Fritz, C., Dalal, D.K. & Lin, B.C. Just a Quick Question? Relationships between Workplace Intrusions and Employee Outcomes. Occup Health Sci 4, 493–518 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41542-020-00072-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41542-020-00072-3