A rise in perceived workload might partly reflect the need to boost self-esteem. This paper examines whether a decline in autonomy magnifies this need, and thus augments perceived workload, when employees feel detached from their social collectives. In study 1, 205 public servants completed a survey; autonomy was negatively related to perceived workload, especially when cohesion declined. In study 2, these results were replicated with 194 operations workers. In study 3, 164 employees completed a survey, demonstrating that personal belief in a just world was negatively associated with perceived workload when attachment to a social collective declined. Thus, individuals who feel detached from their social context, but experience a limited sense of control, demonstrate cognitive biases that amplify perceived workload.
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