| Abstract [eng] |
Technological progress is bringing many changes into everyone's life and in the labour market. Like any major change, it brings much uncertainty and insecurity about the future. Occupational insecurity is a relatively new but relevant work stressor in the context of technological progress. There is still a lack of research that explains how occupational insecurity relates to increased learning demands and work outcomes. However, based on existing knowledge about other aspects of insecurity and tech-related strain, it may be assumed that occupational insecurity increases certain risks to employee well-being (Roll et al., 2023). The aim of this study was to investigate the association between occupational insecurity, perceived intensified learning demands and work outcomes (work stress, meaningful work, work engagement, job and career satisfaction) among employed individuals. The participants were 152 employees (111 women (73.03%)) from different organisations, aged between 19 and 60 (M = 30.49; SD = 9.17). The study assessed occupational insecurity, increased learning demands and work outcomes, and analysed direct and indirect associations between these variables. Indirect associations were analysed by conducting a mediation analysis (Hayes, 2018) with occupational insecurity as the independent variable, increased learning demands as the mediator, and work outcomes as dependent variables. The results showed that qualitative occupational insecurity was directly positively related to intensified learning demands at work, which, in turn, were directly positively related to both work stress and meaningful work. Quantitative occupational insecurity was directly negatively related to work stress and career satisfaction. Indirect relationships were also found: qualitative occupational insecurity was positively related to work stress and meaningful work through intensified learning demands. These findings help to better understand how employees experience occupational insecurity and react to it. |
