Meaningful fulfilment: battling burnout with purpose and resilience in the workplace

Purpose This study aims to explore the interrelationships among calling, meaningful work and burnout in Malaysian public sector employees, as well as the moderating role of resilience. Drawing on the Job Demands–Resources (JD–R) model and Work as Calling Theory (WCT), this research examines how these relationships influence work-related outcomes. Design/methodology/approach This cross-sectional study was conducted using survey questionnaires, and the data were collected from employees of various government ministries in Greater Kuala Lumpur of Malaysia. The collected data was then further analysed using SmartPLS statistical software. Findings The findings indicate that calling and meaningful work are interconnected and provide protection against burnout. Moreover, meaningful work mediates the calling-burnout relationship, while resilience weakens these protective effects. Social implications The implications of the study enhance the understanding of meaningful work and align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 8, which promotes sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all. Originality/value This study is one of the few that confirms the applicability of the WCT and JD–R model in the Malaysian public sector and introduces resilience as an additional factor influencing staff work outcomes, potentially impacted by cultural context. The study also highlights the importance of fostering calling and meaningful work, alongside resilience-focused interventions, to reduce burnout.