Abstract
Worker burnout is a prevalent global issue and has persisted for decades. Commuting, traffic, and work schedules conflicting with personal responsibilities are just a few of many frustrations workers often experience as a part of the current way of working. This research brings light to a new work model that mitigates worker burnout. Maintaining focus on the worker, this study asked: Does a progressive organizational work model mitigate burnout? The Progressive Work Model (PWM) is a forward-thinking framework used to organize work activities and processes within an organization that meets the work-life balance needs of the modern workforce by mitigating burnout. I constructed the PWM by drawing from burnout, flexible work practices, the traditional work structure (9-to-5), work-life balance, the culture dimension of individualism/collectivism, and psychological safety climate literatures. This new work model entails forms of work that deviate from the current way of working to align with the modern work-life balance needs of workers that are increasingly expected in practice by empirically testing choice facilitated autonomy, flexible work practices, and work-life programs across cultures. The research methodology was primarily a quantitative study of individuals across the globe who are part of the workforce. Primary survey data from 8,484 individuals from six continents and 81 countries was collected by distributing a survey via international job boards Glassdoor and Indeed. Findings revealed helpful and important guidance to change the way we work, so organizations across the globe can find the courage to progress beyond the current way of working to meet the progressive needs of the modern workforce.
Library of Congress Subject Headings
Burn out (Psychology); Work-life balance; Work design
Date of Award
2024
School Affiliation
Graziadio Business School
Department/Program
Business
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctorate
Faculty Advisor
Ann E. Feyerherm
Recommended Citation
Doss, Monika M., "Addressing burnout: a shift to the progressive work model" (2024). Theses and Dissertations. 1475.
https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/etd/1475