When calling and overwork climate collide: the effect on burnout and intention to change careers

Abstract

ABSTRACT Research Question Working within one’s calling provides individuals with several work-related benefits, while an overwork climate negatively impacts employees’ work experience. How do the concepts interact, especially within an industry where both exist within the workplace? The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of living a calling and experiencing overwork climate on negative work-related behaviors of sport employees. Additionally, the study examined how overwork climate mitigated these relationships. Research Methods Data were collected from employees working in NCAA Division I, II, and III athletic departments (n = 4522). Our survey included instruments assessing vocational calling, overwork climate, burnout, and intention to change careers. The data were then analyzed utilizing simple and multiple linear regression. Results and Findings Results indicated that sport employees living their calling are more career committed and resistant to burnout. However, when those who are living their calling are faced with an overwork climate, they experience increased burnout and intent to change careers. Implications These findings support the dual outcomes of calling proposed in the Work As Calling Theoretical Model. The findings also provide practical implications for sport employers and organizations in high-calling, high-demand settings. Particularly, sport managers are faced with employing a high number of called employees within the industry but resisting the urge to push their work commitment beyond an acceptable threshold, therefore exposing employees to greater burnout and willingness to change their careers.