The moderating role of career adaptability on the relationship between workplace spirituality and employee mental and physical health

Abstract

Orientation: Aspects of religion and spirituality are now being infused into the experience of work. The key to this is understanding how religion and spirituality affect individual and organisational functioning.Research purpose: This study investigated the influence of career adaptability on workplace spirituality and employee health. In this study, employee health refers to mental and physical health.Motivation for the study: This study’s context was the South African public service noted to be undergoing change affecting employees. Strategies that assist employees in promoting mental and physical health are needed.Research approach/design and method: Quantitative data were gathered through a self-administered questionnaire, and 214 teachers took part in this study. Simple linear regression and hierarchical regression analyses were performed to make meaning of the data. Respondents of the study were teachers in rural high schools of South Africa.Main findings: The results indicate that workplace spirituality significantly influences mental and physical health. Furthermore, career adaptability moderates the relationship between workplace spirituality and employee health.Practical/managerial implications: Given the positive role that workplace spirituality has on employee health, that is, mental and physical health, we advocate for some interventions. This could be in the form of employee-friendly policies. Furthermore, training can assist in developing a heightened sense of individual and organisational workplace spirituality.Contribution/value-add: Paying attention to how employees develop workplace spirituality and career adaptability can encourage positive behaviours around employee health.

Influence of organisational climate on public service employee physical health

“…In promoting decent working conditions, organisations may also potentially help in promoting aspects of physical health (Duffy et al 2021 ). Findings in this study contribute to the literature on health development within the South African public service; notably, focus has been chiefly centred on employee mental health (Mathibe & Chinyamurindi 2021 ; Shava & Chinyamurindi 2021 ). Physical health promotion is argued for in this study.…”

“…The working conditions in an organisation can significantly impact the health of employees (Shava & Chinyamurindi 2021 ). The organisational climate comprises how work is organised and the responses that accompany all this from a leadership perspective (Chinyamurindi, Mathibe & Marange 2023 ).…”

“…According to Fihla and Chinyamurindi ( 2018 ), the public service is an essential vehicle through which service delivery outcomes are realised. Yet in doing so the same public service becomes a stressful context to work in, with a potential impact on the health of employees (Shava & Chinyamurindi 2021 ). A need exists for targeted interventions that assist the promotion of health especially within the public service (Chinyamurindi & Shava 2022 ; Mathibe & Chinyamurindi 2021 ; Shava & Chinyamurindi 2021 ).…”

“…Yet in doing so the same public service becomes a stressful context to work in, with a potential impact on the health of employees (Shava & Chinyamurindi 2021 ). A need exists for targeted interventions that assist the promotion of health especially within the public service (Chinyamurindi & Shava 2022 ; Mathibe & Chinyamurindi 2021 ; Shava & Chinyamurindi 2021 ). Such targeted interventions can potentially assist employees to work better in meeting their work outcomes (Ruzungunde, Chinyamurindi & Marange 2023 ).…”

Malay Translation and Validation of Career Adapt-Abilities Scale for Higher Learning Institution Students in Malaysia

“…Research has found that career adaptability affected mental health at work, and vice versa. Shava and Chinyamurindi (2021) conducted a study in the education sector to understand the relationship between career adaptability and health reported that teachers with good career adaptability showed improvements in both mental and physical health. A study on personality traits and emotional intelligence on career adaptability among teachers of special education showed a positive connection between emotional intelligence, conscientiousness, extraversion, openness to experience, and career adaptability, with the last two as the strongest predictors of career adaptability (Er & Rameli, 2019).…”