Work-to-Family spillover effects of workplace ostracism: the role of Work-Home segmentation preferences

Abstract

This study considers workplace ostracism as a source of stress and examines its spillover effects on the family. By integrating the work-family interface model with boundary theory, we investigate the impact of workplace ostracism as perceived by employees on their family satisfaction by examining the mediating role of work-to-family conflict and the moderating role of work-home segmentation preferences. The results from a three-wave field survey of 233 employees in China indicate that workplace ostracism is negatively related to family satisfaction; this relationship is also mediated by work-to-family conflict. In addition, work-home segmentation preferences attenuate the mediating effect of work-to-family conflict on the relationship between workplace ostracism and family satisfaction. The theoretical and managerial implications of these findings are discussed. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.