An Investigation of the Mediating Role of Organizational Trust in the Relationship between Work Rumination and Organizational Dissent

ABSTRACT Employees often spend a significant amount of time ruminating over their daily working experiences. Such rumination triggered by work events may have profound influences on employees’ behaviors and perceptions about their organization. The current study investigates how work rumination may alter employee dissent behaviors through the mediating role of organizational trust. Results from a sample of employees recruited through Qualtrics (N = 397) indicate that both positive and negative rumination leads to increased employee dissent. In addition, organizational trust is a significant mediator in the relationship between work rumination and articulated dissent. Findings of the current study suggest organizations need to take an active role in shaping employees’ everyday working experiences. Further implications and limitations are discussed.