Português
Ciência-IUL
Publications
Publication Detailed Description
Should I pet or should I work? Human-animal interactions and (tele)work engagement: An exploration of the underlying within-level mechanisms
Journal Title
Personnel Review
Year (definitive publication)
2024
Language
English
Country
United Kingdom
More Information
Web of Science®
Scopus
Google Scholar
Abstract
Purpose
Human–animal interactions (HAIs) have been found to have an extensive and significant influence on individuals' well-being and health-related outcomes. However, there are few studies that examine this influence on work-related contexts, such as teleworking. In this study, the author relied on the affective events theory to examine the effect of daily HAI on employees’ daily work engagement and the underlying mechanisms (daily affect ratio and state mindfulness), by resorting to a daily diary study.
Design/methodology/approach
To test the hypotheses, the author collected daily data during five consecutive working days with pet owners (N = 400 × 5 = 2,000).
Findings
Multilevel results showed that interacting with pets during the working day was positively associated with daily work engagement, but this positive relationship was stronger for individuals with lower levels of mindfulness. Further analyses showed that the daily affect ratio mediated the moderating effect of mindfulness on the relationship between daily interactions with pets and daily work engagement.
Practical implications
These findings provide strong support for the proposed mediated moderation model; indeed, positive affect and mindfulness help to explain the positive effect of HAIs on work engagement. Hence, managers may consider the adoption of teleworking, even in a hybrid format for those workers who own pets, because interacting with pets may be a strategy to make them feel more positive and, in turn, more enthusiastic, dedicated and absorbed in their work.
Originality/value
This study is one of the first studies to demonstrate the importance of adopting pet-friendly practices, such as allowing pet owners to telework, as a way to promote daily work engagement.
Acknowledgements
--
Keywords
Human-animal interaction,Affect,Work engagement,Mindfulness,Multilevel analyses
Fields of Science and Technology Classification
- Psychology - Social Sciences
- Economics and Business - Social Sciences
Related References in the Media
This publication is associated with the following references in the media record(s):
Contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations
With the objective to increase the research activity directed towards the achievement of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, the possibility of associating scientific publications with the Sustainable Development Goals is now available in Ciência-IUL. These are the Sustainable Development Goals identified by the author(s) for this publication. For more detailed information on the Sustainable Development Goals, click here.
