Workplace conflict and employee well-being : The moderating role of detachment from work during off-job time

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to address the relation between task and relationship conflicts at work and employee well-being. It seeks to examine psychological detachment from work during off-job time as a moderator in the relation between conflicts and well-being. Design/methodology/approach – In a field study, 291 white-collar employees completed survey measures of task conflicts, relationship conflicts, psychological detachment from work during off-job time, and well-being. Control variables included workload and job control.<br />Findings – Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that employees experiencing high levels of task conflicts and high levels of relationship conflicts report poorer well-being. As predicted, psychological detachment from work mitigated the negative relation between relationship conflicts and well-being. Contrary to expectations, psychological detachment failed to moderate the relation between task conflicts and well-being.<br />Practical implications – The study suggests that employees should be encouraged to disengage mentally from work during leisure time.<br />Originality/value – This study links research on workplace conflicts with research on recovery processes. It tests the moderator effect of psychological detachment from work on the association between workplace conflicts and well-being.