Drained and Disrupted: Examining the Impact of Organizational Exploitation on Employee Vitality and Work-Family Conflict

Abstract

Technological advancements and heightened competition have intensified organizations' drive to maximize profits and minimize costs, often leading to the exploitation of employees. Such perceptions of exploitation pose a significant threat to employee vitality, potentially resulting in a diminished quality of work life and escalating work-family conflict. This study aims to empirically examine this phenomenon. Employing a quantitative deductive approach, data were collected from 444 employees across various levels within Information Technology organizations in Pakistan. The analysis was conducted using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM).​The results indicate that perceived organizational exploitation significantly increases employee work-family conflict and adversely affects employee vitality. However, no significant relationship was found between employee vitality and work-family conflict. Additionally, gender did not significantly moderate the relationships assessed in the model. This research offers valuable theoretical and practical insights. By applying the Conservation of Resources Theory and the Work-Family Spillover Theory to perceptions of exploitation, the study enriches existing literature. It suggests the development and implementation of policies aimed at curbing exploitative practices to mitigate their negative consequences, thereby enhancing organizations' social sustainability.

Keywords: Employee vitality, Perceived organizational exploitation, social sustainability, Work-family conflict