Affiliations:
School of Management, Queensland University of Technology, Queensland, Australia
Correspondence:
[*]
Address for correspondence: Nerina L. Jimmieson, School of Management, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, 4000, Australia. Tel.: +61 7 3138 4260; E-mail: n.jimmieson@qut.edu.au.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Focusing on employees with psychological strain, this research draws on Fredrickson’s ‘undoing hypothesis’ to examine praise and recognition from one’s supervisor as an organizational resource. OBJECTIVE:A model is tested in which psychological strain is a mediator in the positive relationship between role demands and employees’ intentions to take sick leave and seek medical advice, and positions supervisor praise and recognition as a buffer of psychological strain on such intentions. METHODS:The model was tested using two Australian samples in the tourism sector, consisting of motel workers (n = 104) and museum workers (n = 168). RESULTS:For museum workers, but not motel workers, there was a positive indirect effect of each role demand on sick leave intentions through psychological strain that weakened as a function of supervisor praise and recognition. The proposed moderated mediated model was supported for both samples in regards to intentions to seek medical advice. CONCLUSIONS:This research contributes new evidence regarding the antecedents of employees’ intentions to take sick leave and seek medical advice for work stress-related problems. It also contributes to the limited evidence regarding supervisor praise and recognition as a protective factor for employees exhibiting the symptoms of psychological strain.
Keywords: Occupational stress, role demands, employee strain, sick leave, medical advice
