When work never ends: How after-hours electronic communication expectations affect job satisfaction through work interference with family and emotional exhaustion

Abstract

In today’s interconnected and fast-paced work environment, technological advancements have blurred the boundaries between work and personal life. Consequently, employees often find themselves expected to remain available for electronic communication outside regular work hours. While some studies suggest that this aids employees in transitioning between work and home life, it may also hinder their ability to maintain a balance between work and personal life. Thus, drawing on boundary theory and conservation of resources theory, this study examines the impact of after-hours electronic communication expectations (AECE) on job satisfaction through work interference with family and emotional exhaustion. The results of data collected from 300 participants in the textile industry of Pakistan reveal a direct negative impact of AECE on job satisfaction. The results also indicate an indirect effect, wherein AECE influences job satisfaction through a sequential mediation process involving work interference with family, emotional exhaustion, and ultimately, negatively impacts job satisfaction, indicating a cascading effect. The study’s implications for theory and practice, as well as its limitations, are also addressed and discussed.