Private Life Events and Work Ability

Abstract

Although previous research on work ability extensively examined the role of job demands in predicting work ability, this research largely overlooked the influence of home demands such as disruptive private life events as a potential predictor of work ability even though home demands are assumed to influence work outcomes in a similar way to job demands. The aim of this study is to contribute to the literature on work ability by examining home demands as a potential predictor of work ability. More specifically, we investigate whether private life events have a negative impact on work ability, and examine whether the use of on-the-job training and a positive supervisor support climate can buffer this relationship. To this end, we conducted a study with a sample of 2123 healthcare employees from 26 health institutions. Results showed that private life events have a negative impact on work ability. Moreover, use of on-the-job training and supervisor support climate do not moderate this relationship. However, our results indicate that the beneficial effect of on-the-job training was significantly lower for individuals who faced high disruptive life events in a work environment that was characterized by low levels of supervisor support climate compared to individuals who faced high disruptive life events in a work environment that was characterized by high levels of supervisor support climate. This study gives managers in the healthcare sector insight into the job and organizational resources that are effective in overcoming the negative impact of private life events on work ability.