Understanding the Relationship between Overtime and Burnout

This study examines the apparent inconsistent relationship between overtime and burnout, and proposes a tentative model for conceptualizing it. We suggest that, in examining the relationship between overtime and burnout, attention should be paid to the categorization of working hours that includes work of up to 12 hours per day and work exceeding 12 hours per day. The categorization assumes that workers in the latter category have fewer opportunities for recovery and are, therefore, more prone to burnout. We postulate two moderators that can shed light on the contradictory findings concerning the relationship between overtime and burnout. First, we elaborate on the definition of the term “heavy work investment” and emphasize the importance of distinguishing between the various levels of work investment by workers who work long hours, namely, excessive work investment (EWI), moderate work investment (MWI), and low work investment (LWI). Second, we analyze the importance of autonomy, distinguishing between perceived and actual autonomy of the employees with regard to their schedule. Propositions as well as theoretical and practical implications are offered.