Should I stay or should I go? The role of individual strivings in shaping the relationship between envy and avoidance behaviors at work

Published in: Journal of Organizational Behavior - December 2021

Written by

Danielle Tussing, Andreas Wihler, Timothy Astandu and Jochen Menges

Summary

What we found: Dealing with envy in the workplace differs depending on what employees ultimately strive for. While those who are primarily motivated to build cooperative relationships may leave the organization in reaction to feeling envious, this may not apply to employees who desire work-related mastery and excellence rather than communion.

Why it matters: Understanding that encouraging comparisons among employees may motivate some while repelling others is crucial given the costly implications of absenteeism and employee turnover.

What next: Rather than celebrating and financially compensating individual successes, managers should think about ways of encouraging team successes especially when they value social harmony rather than competitiveness.