Work

No rest for the weary: Pay uncertainty reduces engagement in recovery.

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: = 1,476), finding support for our predictions. Participants facing greater pay uncertainty work longer and delay recovery, even when financial rewards for continuing to work become negligible in Studies 1, 2, and 3. In line with scarcity theory predictions, pay uncertainty increases perceptions of financial scarcity (Study 4a) and those facing financial scarcity are less likely to engage in recovery (Study 4b). Together, these results highlight the costs of pay uncertainty while identifying the psychological mechanism underlying that cost. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

Source: Journal of Applied Psychology

DOI: 10.1037/apl0001335

Authors: Brice Corgnet, Roberto Hernán-González, Gordon M. Sayre, Simon Gächter

Institutions: École de management de Lyon, ESC Dijon Bourgogne, École supérieure de commerce de Dijon-Bourgogne, Université Bourgogne Europe, University of Nottingham

Language: English

Topic: Workplace Health and Well-being

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: green