Hitting the nail on the head: Factors affecting employees’ intentions to quit and workplace incivility

Abstract

Drawing on the Conservation of Resources Theory, this study explores whether work overload and workplace ostracism impact workplace incivility and intention to quit (ITQ). We also test the mediating role of work–family conflict and the moderating role of job embeddedness. A quantitative method was employed, and survey instruments from published sources were used to collect data. Data were gathered from employees working in the hospitality and tourism sector in Oman. Using a purposive sampling approach, a total of 195 valid responses were obtained. The data were analysed using structural equation modelling to test the hypothesised relationships. Our findings show that work–family conflict mediates the following relationships: work overload and ITQ, workplace ostracism and ITQ, work overload and workplace incivility, and workplace ostracism and workplace incivility. Moreover, we found that job embeddedness moderates the relationships between job embeddedness and ITQ, as well as job embeddedness and work–family conflict. This study extends the literature on workplace incivility and intention to quit by examining the mediating role of work–family conflict and the moderating role of job embeddedness. Equally important, it contributes by contextually testing these hypothesised relationships in the Arab world.