Relationship between forgiveness at work and positive affect: the role of age as a moderator

Abstract

Workplace transgressions are widespread in the industries and can have detrimental consequences for both employees and organisations. Despite the preventive and remedial approaches organisations as well as employees take, occupational discords are inevitable. This study emphasises the role of forgiveness in coping with such transgressions (coping response focussed on emotions) to enhance positivity in the employees and aims to investigate the relationship between forgiveness at work and positive affect along with the moderating influence of age on the relationship. The data were collected using cross-sectional survey-based design from 398 employees working in public and private sector organisations (manufacturing sector) of India and analysed with hierarchical regression analysis. Findings indicate that there is a statistically significant relationship between forgiveness and positive affect at work and age moderates this relationship. Limitations and implications are also discussed.