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You’re offended, I’m offended! An empirical study of the proclivity to be offended and what it says about employees’ attitudes and behaviors

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  • Bernerth, Jeremy B.

Abstract

For all the news stories devoted to individuals taking offense to various issues, little is known about these individuals or their work-related habits. To address this important gap in organizational and societal knowledge, the reported research draws on cognitive interference theory to define and measure the proclivity to be offended (PTBO). This measure was hypothesized to serve as an off-task stimuli, and results of a time-separated multi-source study found PTBO negatively relates to employees’ task performance and citizenship behavior, and positively relates to counterproductive behavior, as rated by one’s supervisor. PTBO also had implications for employees’ self-reported job satisfaction and workplace engagement. Building on the idea that PTBO may also influence the way employees view their organization’s actions, overall organizational justice was hypothesized and found to mediate the relationship between PTBO and both employees’ behavior and attitudes. Implications for managers and organizations concerned with modern societal movements are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Bernerth, Jeremy B., 2020. "You’re offended, I’m offended! An empirical study of the proclivity to be offended and what it says about employees’ attitudes and behaviors," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 314-323.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:116:y:2020:i:c:p:314-323
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.05.040
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Matthew Cartabuke & James W. Westerman & Jacqueline Z. Bergman & Brian G. Whitaker & Jennifer Westerman & Rafik I. Beekun, 2019. "Empathy as an Antecedent of Social Justice Attitudes and Perceptions," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 157(3), pages 605-615, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Hou, Tingting & Luo, Xin (Robert) & Ke, Dan & Cheng, Xusen, 2022. "Exploring different appraisals in deviant sharing behaviors: A mixed-methods study," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 496-509.

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