Be overworked: after-hours electronic communication expectations and emotional exhaustion

Purpose This study aimed to explore two questions. The first is why employees become emotionally exhausted when faced with after-hours electronic communication. The second is how can emotional exhaustion caused by after-hours electronic communication be alleviated? Design/methodology/approach Our research was based on conservation of resources theory, social exchange theory, and relative deprivation theory. We surveyed 241 employees using three waves of data collection to examine the impact of after-hours electronic communication expectations on their emotional exhaustion. We also explored the mediating effects of relative deprivation and obsessive passion from a cognitive-affective perspective and the moderating effect of leader-member exchange. Findings The results indicate that after-hours electronic communication expectations lead to employee emotional exhaustion, which is mediated by obsessive passion and relative deprivation. The leader-member exchange negatively moderated after-hours electronic communication expectations and relative deprivation but positively moderated after-hours electronic communication expectations and obsessive passion, thereby alleviating employee emotional exhaustion. Originality/value In exploring the influence mechanism of after-hours electronic communication expectations on emotional exhaustion from a cognitive-affective perspective, our study went beyond the limitations of analysis from a single perspective. A comparison of the two pathways indicated that cognition (relative deprivation) is more likely to lead to emotional exhaustion, which validates the view that individuals can ultimately analyse their behaviours rationally. By exploring the moderating effect of leader-member exchange, we provide a theoretical basis for organisations to take measures to alleviate the negative emotions caused by after-hours electronic communication.