Job Crafting as a Mediator Between Workload Stress and Employee Well-Being

Abstract

Workload stress is a pervasive challenge in contemporary organizations, negatively affecting employees’ psychological and physical well-being. Traditional interventions often focus on organizational-level solutions, such as workload reduction or wellness programs, yet employees’ proactive behaviors, such as job crafting, may provide additional mechanisms to buffer stress impacts. This study examines the mediating role of job crafting between workload stress and employee well-being across diverse industries. Drawing on Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) theory and Self-Determination Theory, a cross-sectional survey was conducted with 550 employees from healthcare, technology, and financial sectors in India and the United States. Structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed that workload stress negatively impacts employee well-being, while engagement in job crafting (task, relational, and cognitive) significantly mediates this relationship.

Findings underscore the critical role of job crafting as a psychological resource, enabling employees to proactively shape their work to mitigate stress. Organizations that foster job crafting behaviors through training, supportive leadership, and autonomy can enhance employee well-being, engagement, and resilience. This research contributes to organizational behavior and occupational health literature by demonstrating how employee-driven proactive strategies can serve as effective buffers against workload stress.