The digital escape: examining the impact of cyberloafing on gossip-induced emotional exhaustion and the mediating role of self-esteem

Purpose This research sheds light on how workplace gossip may affect employees' emotional well-being via self-esteem. Further, the study examines the moderating role of cyberloafing in the examined relationship. Design/methodology/approach The study employs a moderated mediation model to examine the linkage among workplace gossip, self-esteem, and emotional exhaustion, incorporating cyberloafing as a moderator. Data were gathered from 249 employees working in various industries from the US. Findings Workplace gossip substantially diminishes self-esteem, which is inversely related to emotional exhaustion. Notably, cyberloafing positively moderates the relationship between self-esteem and emotional exhaustion, heightening the adverse effects of gossip. Practical implications The findings have critical implications for human resource management strategies. To mitigate the impact of gossip, HR managers should foster positive work environments, promote emotional well-being, and implement policies to curb cyberloafing. Originality/value This study expands the discussion on workplace gossip while probing the role of self-esteem and cyberloafing. It contributes to the application of the conservation of resource theory to analyze emotional well-being in organizational settings.