The Impact of Precarious Employment on Work Disengagement and Voice Behavior of Contract-Based Employees: The Role of Underlying Mechanism

Abstract

Based on the Conservation of Resources theory, the aim of this study is to examine the extent to which precarious employment affects voice behaviour, with a focus on the mediating role of work disengagement, and the moderating roles of perceived organizational support. Data was collected for testing these relationships among public sector employees using Partial Least Squares (PLS). Findings evidenced a negative association between precarious employment (contract-based employees) and voice behaviour (all hypotheses supported). Moreover, employees who perceive high organizational support show a positive association of precarious employment with work disengagement and willingness to provide constructive feedback. By grasping these dynamics, organizations can develop strategies to support precarious workers, fostering a culture of open communication. Using Conservation of Resources (COR) theory as an underpinning theory, this study provides novel insights into the linkage between precarious employment and employee voice behaviour and broadens the extant literature by identifying perceived organizational support as a moderator.