EMOTIONAL LABOR AND BURNOUT IN HYBRID WORK SETTINGS

Abstract

The current research explored the connection of emotional labor and burnout with psychological well-being among 450 employees working in hybrid work environments in Pakistan in terms of a moderating influence of the type of work arrangement (on-site and remote work). Based on the validated self-report measures, the results showed that emotional labor was a positive predictor of burnout ( =.52, p <.001) and a negative predictor of psychological well-being ( = -.41, p =.001). The mediation analysis showed that the relationship between emotional labor and burnout was mediated in part by psychological well-being, and it is possible that emotional regulation requires the use of the psychological resources of the employees, which make them more vulnerable to burnout. Moderation analysis showed that off-site workers had a weaker relationship between emotional labor and burnout than on-site workers, which points to the buffering effect of flexible work environments. These results emphasize the significance of the organizational interventions to regulate the emotional labor, improve the well-being of the employees, and introduce culturally sensitive hybrid work policies. The paper adds to theoretical knowledge of emotional work in the context of collectivism and offers pragmatic advice on the organizational policy and employee care in Pakistan.