Parker, Stacey L.; Blockx, Lisa; Dawson, Niamh; Neal, Andrew E.; Sonnentag, Sabine; & Jimmieson, Nerina L.

Recovery involves a process of unwinding after exerting effort on work (Sonnentag et al., 2022). Recovery from work, both within the workday via breaks and outside of work via leisure (i.e., evenings, weekends), is important for our health, well-being, and sustained performance (Steed et al., 2021; Sonnentag et al., 2022). However, research has identified that on more demanding workdays employees find it harder to recover (Sonnentag, 2018). One factor that might illuminate why recovery is harder when we need it the most is a deeper understanding of the paradoxical effects of putting effort into work. To date, prior research has neglected to fully consider the role of effort. Thus, this symposium presents three studies on the paradoxical effects of effort on recovery. As per prior research, we expected that when people put effort into work this can drain energy, which then makes recovery more difficult. Simultaneously, we expect that when people put effort into work, they make more progress, which can be energising and leave less unfinished work to intrude on recovery. In this Symposium, we aim to reconcile these paradoxical effects of effort and deepen our understanding of the recovery process.

Study 1, presented by A/Prof Parker, involves an experience sampling study on hourly effort and recovery within one workday (N=224; n=1943). Dynamic SEM findings revealed that momentary recovery during work (i.e., taking a break to detach) fuels more effort on work the next hour. However, effort does not necessarily compromise recovery within the workday, indeed effort on work was energising. Study 2, presented by PhD Blockx, is an experimental study during a 90-minute work simulation (N=129; n=1935). Using a controlled environment and complex task, further support for paradoxical effects of effort were revealed. Study 3, presented by Dr Dawson is a daily diary study (N=170; n=1870). Here, using Multilevel Latent Profile Analysis it was found that paradoxical effects of effort on recovery depend on job demands. We will then conclude with a Q&A led by Professor Neal.

Prior research assumes recovery starts at the end of the workday, but our research suggests that effort expenditure within the workday plays a large part in determining our need and ability to recover. Moreover, best practice advice on how to support recovery would benefit from a deeper understanding of the expenditure of effort, as it unfolds within the workday, but also for different employees depending on their job demands.

By the conclusion of this presentation, attendees will:
• Have new knowledge on effort-recovery theorising, which has implications for work-related health, well-being, strain prevention, and sustained motivation and performance.
• Understand how employee experiences of effort expenditure can shape recovery potential, both during the work day and across the work week.
• Gain insights into the ways to intervene to improve the experience of exerting effort into one's work, so that this is more stimulating and productive rather than depleting and counterproductive.