Psychology Seminar Series - Work-related boredom uncovered: Spotlight on causes, consequences, and moderating factors

Many employees experience boredom at work. As an activity-related emotion, work-related boredom deserves serious attention, because it can have substantial negative consequences for both employees and organizations. In this presentation, I present findings from our own research on work-related boredom, focusing on its causes and consequences. I will address specific job characteristics that contribute to boredom, such as low task variety, and lack of basic psychological need satisfaction. In addition, I discuss the consequences of boredom in terms of employee behavior and well-being. I also highlight factors that can moderate or mediate these relationships, providing a deeper understanding of when and how these consequences occurs. Finally, I reflect on practical implications for job design and organizational practice and outline promising avenues for future research.