Perceived employability and employee strain: A meta‐analysis

• Published in: Journal of occupational and organizational psychology Vol. 96; no. 1; pp. 109 - 118
• Main Authors: Harari, Michael B., McCombs, Kate M., Thams, Yannick
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Leicester British Psychological Society 01-03-2023
• Subjects: Employability; Meta-analysis; Occupational psychology; perceived employability; strain; Uncertainty
• ISSN: 0963-1798; 2044-8325
• DOI: 10.1111/joop.12412

This meta‐analysis addresses the association between perceived employability (PE) and employee strain (k = 34). Consistent with expectations, PE was negatively related to strain (ρ = −.12, 95% CI = −.16 to −.08). Moderator analysis showed that this relationship was stronger post‐2008 (ρ = −.20, 84% CI = −.23 to −.17) versus pre‐2008 (ρ = −.06, 84% CI = −.08 to −.05) and in high (ρ = −.17, 84% CI = −.21 to −.14) versus low (ρ = −.07, 84% CI = −.09 to −.06) uncertainty avoidant cultures. Our results suggest that career competency development interventions can be effective for reducing employee strain and that national uncertainty avoidance need be incorporated into models of boundaryless careers, especially as it relates to employee health and well‐being.