Work Overload and Turnover Intention Among Generation Z Startup Workers
Abstract
This research aims to analyze the effect of perceived work overload on turnover intention among Generation Z employees in Indonesian startup companies. It also explores the mediating role of emotional exhaustion and the moderating role of perceived organizational support in this relationship. Employing a quantitative approach and survey method, data were collected from 223 respondents who are Generation Z employees with a minimum of one year of work experience in startups. The data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling-Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS). The results show that perceived work overload has a significant positive effect on turnover intention. Furthermore, emotional exhaustion significantly mediates the relationship between perceived work overload and turnover intention. Meanwhile, perceived organizational support moderates the relationship between emotional exhaustion and turnover intention in a negative direction, indicating that higher perceived support weakens the effect of emotional exhaustion on turnover intention. These findings reinforce the Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) framework and offer practical implications for startup management in managing workload, enhancing organizational support, and reducing turnover among Generation Z employees.
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