How and When PC Breach by Subordinates Relates to Weekly Emotional Exhaustion of Supervisors

Abstract

In psychological contract research, the side of the supervisor is severely understudied. A supervisor, however, is responsible for maintaining relationships with both his/her subordinates as well as with higher management and is likely to be affected by events in their relationships. In this study, we postulate that not only employee well-being is influenced by psychological contract breach (PCB) and fulfillment by their managers, but that managers’ well-being can also be affected by subordinates breaching or fulfilling obligations to them. The present study advances psychological contract research by developing an understanding of how and when subordinate PCB associates with supervisor emotional exhaustion. By means of a weekly diary study among 56 Dutch supervisors, we test propositions regarding the positive relationship between subordinate PCB and supervisor emotional exhaustion, the mediating role of the supervisor’s perceptions of performance pressure in this relationship, and the moderating role of the supervisor’s additional negotiated resources. Multilevel analyses support the first two hypotheses but show that the association between subordinate PCB and supervisor emotional exhaustion is actually strengthened when supervisors have negotiated additional resources for themselves from their own managers.