IMPACT OF TOXIC LEADERSHIP, EMOTIONAL EXHAUSTION & LACK OF WORK-LIFE BALANCE ON TURNOVER INTENTIONS: MEDIATING ROLE OF JOB STRESS

Abstract

This study examines the impact of toxic leadership, emotional exhaustion, and lack of work-life balance on the employee turnover intentions, with a focus on mediating role of job stress. Research posits that toxic leadership, characterized by abusive, manipulative and harmful behaviors, exacerbates emotional exhaustion and disrupts work-life balance, thereby increasing employee stress & heightening turnover intentions. Using a survey-based method, data were collected from employees across various industries and structural equation modeling was employed to test the proposed model. The results indicate that toxic leadership is positively related to emotional exhaustion and a lack of work-life balance, both significantly contribute to job stress. Job stress, in turn, mediates the relationship amid these factors and employee turnover intentions. The findings suggest that organizations need to address the toxic leadership behaviors, enhance work-life balance programs, and mitigate emotional exhaustion to reduce stress at work and decrease turnover intentions. This study contributes to the understanding of the psychological mechanisms driving turnover intentions and provides valuable insights for the organizations aiming to improve the retention and employee well-being.