Workplace Ostracism and Emotional Exhaustion Among Private and Public Sector Female Bank Employees

Abstract

Background: Workplace ostracism is a prevalent issue in organizational environments, impacting employees' mental health and job performance. Previous studies have established a link between workplace ostracism and emotional exhaustion, particularly in gender-influenced contexts. This study aims to explore this relationship among female bank employees in the private and public sectors, considering various demographic variables. Objective: The primary objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between workplace ostracism and emotional exhaustion among female bank employees. It also sought to examine how demographic factors such as age, education, marital status, employment sector, and job experience correlate with these variables. Methods: A cross-sectional and correlational design was adopted. The study sample comprised 180 female bank employees from Islamabad and Rawalpindi, aged 25-64 years with at least one year of work experience. Purposive sampling was utilized to select participants from both private and public sectors. The Workplace Ostracism Scale and the Emotional Exhaustion Scale of the Maslach Burnout Inventory were employed for data collection. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and t-tests were conducted using SPSS software. Results: The findings revealed a significant positive correlation between workplace ostracism and emotional exhaustion (r = .62, p < .01). Public sector employees reported higher emotional exhaustion (M = 23.73, SD = 17.45) compared to private sector employees (M = 17.58, SD = 12.77). Graduates reported higher levels of both workplace ostracism (M = 25.63, SD = 15.14) and emotional exhaustion (M = 22.20, SD = 16.49) than undergraduates. Married participants experienced more workplace ostracism and emotional exhaustion than unmarried ones. Conclusion: The study confirms a positive relationship between workplace ostracism and emotional exhaustion among female bank employees, influenced by educational level, marital status, and employment sector. The findings highlight the need for tailored organizational strategies to address these issues, particularly in the public banking sector.