Organizational causes of “boreout”: An exploratory study in the Tunisian private sector[Les causes organisationnelles du « bore-out » : une étude exploratoire dans le secteur privé en Tunisie]

Work is part of the essence of human beings; it constitutes a vital component of identity. In the past decades, various problems, such as suffering and stress at work, workaholism, and burnout have increased, leading to work-related pathologies. While work is fundamental and beneficial for people, it can also be painful and a source of psychological distress. This is the case with the phenomenon of "boreout," also known as professional exhaustion due to boredom. Resources theory offers a relevant analytical framework for understanding boreout. When boredom at work is permanent, it may become pathological and lead to boreout. Though common in the public sector, boreout can also occur in the private sector. The main objective of this research is thus to identify the organizational causes of boreout in the private sector. To this end, a qualitative exploratory study is conducted. Interviews with employees working in the Tunisian private sector reveal that the experience of boreout can result from a lack of activity; tasks devoid of interest; monotony due to the repetitive nature of tasks; a mismatch between education and position; a lack of novelty, career development opportunities, and intellectual challenge; and, finally, a total lack of autonomy.