Job boredom and its correlates in 87 Finnish organizations

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the correlates of job boredom in 87 Finnish workplaces (N = 11,468) and to examine the associations between job boredom, health outcomes, and job attitudes.

Methods: We applied the Dutch Boredom Scale to measure job boredom. Hierarchical logistic regression analysis and odds ratio estimates were used for further examination of the variables.

Results: Male, under-36-year-old employees and employees working in transportation, manufacturing, arts, recreation, and entertainment experienced the most job boredom. Job boredom increased the likelihood of employees' turnover and early retirement intentions, poor self-rated health, poor workability, and stress symptoms.

Conclusions: Job boredom is a phenomenon that concerns a wide range of industries. We found a clear association between job boredom and negative health- and work-related perceptions. The results support the notion that job boredom can be harmful to employee health.