I cannot miss it! The influence of supervisor bottom-line mentality on employee presenteeism

Abstract

Purpose

Based on the cognitive appraisal theory of emotion and social comparison theory, this study explores the mediating mechanism and boundary conditions of supervisor bottom-line mentality on employee presenteeism.

Design/methodology/approach

Using hierarchical regression and bootstrapping, we test the hypothesized relationships with three-stage data from 265 full-time employees in China.

Findings

Supervisor bottom-line mentality has a significant positive influence on employee presenteeism. Workplace fear of missing out plays a mediating role between supervisor bottom-line mentality and employee presenteeism. Employees’ status-striving motivation positively moderates the influence of supervisor bottom-line mentality on employees’ workplace fear of missing out and enhances the mediating effect of workplace fear of missing out.

Practical implications

Presenteeism can be detrimental to employees’ health, and ultimately leads to a decrease in organizational productivity. Research conclusions warn companies to be vigilant about supervisors’ bottom-line mentalities and to strengthen employee health management.

Originality/value

This study explains when and how supervisor bottom-line mentality affects employee health, contributing to the literature on the antecedents of presenteeism and enriching the research on supervisor bottom-line mentalities and employee and organizational outcomes. This study clarifies the emotional mechanisms and boundary conditions of supervisor bottom-line mentality affecting presenteeism.

Citation

Tan, Z., Yang, M., Farro, A.C. and Yuan, L. (2024), "I cannot miss it! The influence of supervisor bottom-line mentality on employee presenteeism", Leadership & Organization Development Journal, Vol. 45 No. 4, pp. 719-736. https://doi.org/10.1108/LODJ-05-2023-0216