Abstract

These are challenging times for HR professionals. The world of work has experienced unprecedented levels of change since the pandemic. Now on the horizon is the transformative influence of generative AI on the future of work and HR sits at the center of these changes in organizations. Business executives need healthy and productive HR professionals to effectively support organizations in the future. Unfortunately, recent industry studies paint a sobering picture of waning well-being and high levels of burnout in HR. Burnout is characterized by exhaustion, cynicism, and inefficacy, experienced by individuals and caused by systemic organizational imbalances. This study was the first to address the HR Manager's occupational characteristics of toxin handling and its correlation to burnout and other work dimensions, including values alignment, fairness, autonomy, and belonging. This study confirmed the occupational characteristics' significant positive relationship with exhaustion and cynicism and that values alignment, fairness, autonomy, and belonging seem to buffer the impact. There is a strong case for organizations to invest in efforts to improve HR well-being and reduce burnout and this study yielded practical recommendations to improve outcomes for HR Managers.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Burn out (Psychology); Personnel management; Well-being—Employees

Date of Award

2024

School Affiliation

George L. Graziadio School of Business and Management

Department/Program

Business

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Masters

Faculty Advisor

Ann E. Feyerherm

Download

Share

COinS