Thanks for Stopping By! A Daily Examination of the Costs and Benefits of Workplace Intrusions

Abstract

The consensus to date is that workplace intrusions–unexpected encounters initiated by another person that disrupt an individual’s work–are inherently negative experiences that deplete resources and promote overload and strain. Our study challenges this consensus by arguing that intrusions may also provide benefits to the employees who are intruded upon. Drawing on conservation of resources theory, we investigate how daily intrusions impact the resources of task focus and collaboration. We also investigate the indirect effects of intrusions on employee performance through these resources. We test our model in an experience sampling study using a sample of scientists from a metallurgical research and development company. Our research investigates the dynamics of various types of workplace intrusions, with results suggesting that some types of intrusions lead to resource gains in addition to losses. Given the ubiquitous nature of intrusions in organizations, our results have theoretical and practical significance.