Skip to main content
Article
Examining the Relationships among Peer Resentment Messages Overheard, State Guilt, and Employees' Perceived Ability to Use Work/Family Policies
Communication
  • Justin P. Boren, Santa Clara University
  • Shannon L. Johnson
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-1-2013
Publisher
Southern Communication Journal
Disciplines
Abstract

This study sought to determine if frequency of peer resentment messages overheard in organizational settings was associated with employees' perceived ability to use work/family policies. Job burnout and state guilt were also included as potential predictors. In this sample of workers (N = 474), resentment messages, internalized guilt, and burnout were significantly and negatively associated with the likelihood of using work/family policies, accounting for 22% of the variance. An interaction effect was also discovered for burnout and resentment on perceived ability to use work/family policies. This study highlights the importance of understanding the messages embedded within an organization's culture and those messages' impacts on individual decisions to make use of leave policies.

Citation Information
Boren, J. P. & Johnson, S. L. (2013). Examining the relationships among peer resentment messages overheard, state guilt, and employees' perceived ability to use work/family policies. Southern Communication Journal, 78(2). 128-145. doi: 10.1080/1041794X.2012.736008