Investigating the Effects of Work Intensification, Illegitimate Tasks and Psychological Detachment from Work on Work–Family Conflict

Abstract

Technological advancements and organizational restructuring have been linked to increased work intensification through longer workdays, increased responsibility, and increased pressure to meet high standards. Work intensification can have several negative effects such as the increase in work–family conflict. Moreover, due to the demands related to work intensification, workers can be asked to perform illegitimate tasks. Since illegitimate tasks at work may be viewed by the worker as a waste of time and resources, illegitimate tasks can have a detrimental effect on workers’ morale and can impact the psychological detachment from work. The aim of the present study was to analyze the role of work intensification on work–family conflict, testing whether this relation is mediated by illegitimate tasks and psychological detachment from work. Participants (N = 480) were workers who filled out an online questionnaire that was disseminated using social media. The findings suggested that work intensification affected work–family conflict, and this relationship functioned through the two sequential mediators: illegitimate tasks and psychological detachment from work. Although past research has claimed that work intensification impacts work–family conflict, results showed that illegitimate tasks and psychological detachment from work play a critical role in this process. Practical contributions, limitations of this study and future research directions are discussed.