Fred Mael, Steve Jex
The purpose of this article is to develop a testable model of both the antecedents and consequences of workplace boredom. This model is needed because recent evidence suggests that boredom in the workplace is on the rise, despite the apparent reduction in boring, monotonous jobs, which have traditionally been seen as the primary causes of boredom. To develop this model, we first clarify the construct of boredom and distinguish it from other related constructs in the psychological literature. We put forth a typology of boredom that we view as more realistic than a single definition. We then present a model of workplace boredom that integrates past research with a more contemporary approach based on societal trends and individual differences in susceptibility to boredom. Based on this model, we offer a number of research propositions as well as suggestions for potential ways of decreasing workplace boredom.