Constrained by work: Linking daily work connectivity behavior after-hours to next-day employee job performance

Abstract

In the digital workplace, work connectivity behavior after-hours (WCBA) is increasingly encouraged to promote flexibility and responsiveness. While prior research has extensively linked WCBA to maladaptive workplace behaviors, less is known about its influence on constructive work-related behaviors, particularly job performance. Drawing on conservation of resources theory, this study proposes a cross-day framework to examine how daily WCBA initiates a resource loss spiral that ultimately impairs next-day job performance. We identify ego depletion and work alienation as sequential mediators linking daily WCBA to next-day job performance. Data were collected using an experience sampling method from 94 full-time employees over ten consecutive workdays. The results show that daily WCBA increases current-day ego depletion, which leads to next-day work alienation and, in turn, reduces job performance. Furthermore, high core self-evaluations and low job complexity mitigate the detrimental effects of daily WCBA. Theoretical and practical implications, along with future research directions, are discussed.