The fear of missing out at work: Examining costs and benefits to employee health and motivation. (March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Budnick, Christopher J.; Rogers, Arielle P.; Barber, Larissa K.
• Is Part Of: Computers in human behavior. Volume 104(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-03
• Subjects: Fear of missing out -- Technology use at work -- Health -- Motivation; Interactive computer systems -- Periodicals; Man-machine systems -- Periodicals; 004.019
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2019.106161
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0747-5632

Abstract

Abstract: The popular business media argues that the "fear of missing out" (FoMO) on work-related opportunities harms employees' health and performance. Yet, these claims rely on the study of FoMO in college students in non-work contexts. Therefore, we explored workplace FoMO among employees across three studies. We first developed a measure and provided validation evidence for workplace FoMO among diverse employees ( N = 324; Study 1) and MBA students ( N = 223; Study 2). Using a third large employee sample ( N = 300; Study 3), we tested whether workplace FoMO predicted health (i.e., work burnout and work well-being) and motivational outcomes (i.e., message-checking behaviors and work engagement). We also examined whether family-supportive organizational perceptions (FSOP) moderated these relationships. Results indicated that workplace FoMO is a distinct construct from other measures, including general FoMO. Workplace FoMO also predicted work burnout and message checking behavior, but not work well-being. Lower levels of FSOP strengthened the positive relationship between workplace FoMO and message checking behavior, but also produced a positive relationship between workplace FoMO and work well-being. Overall, FoMO appears to be relevant to the work context and predicts both employee well-being and behavior outcomes. Highlights: Workplace fear of missing out is a distinct construct from other measures. Workplace fear of missing out predicts higher work burnout and message checking behavior. Family supportive supervisor perceptions moderated observed relationships.