Two tales of burnout and balance: workplace boredom and work overload

Although boredom at work poses serious consequences for employees and organizations, research has paid little attention to this phenomenon, especially when compared to other problematic experiences such as work overload. Building upon the Self-Determination Theory and the Effort-Recovery Model, our study compares the impact of these two apparently opposite constructs on burnout and work-life balance, and examines the potential mediating role of work-related rumination. Using a sample of 152 participants, who answered three questionnaires separated by a one-week interval, we found partial support for our hypotheses. Workplace boredom and work overload led to emotional exhaustion and disengagement, via affective rumination. Moreover, while work overload had a negative impact on work-life balance partially mediated by detachment, boredom had a positive effect on this variable fully mediated by detachment. These findings stress the importance of addressing boredom as powerful and dangerous workplace emotion