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June 27, 2026Journal of Occupational Health Psychology0 citations

The outcomes of illegitimate tasks at work: A meta-analysis.

CLChenyang LiUniversity of Leeds AMAhmed MostafaUniversity of Leeds

Key Points

This meta-analysis quantitatively examines the consequences of illegitimate tasks at work across multiple domains.
Analyzed data from 65,124 samples examining outcomes related to illegitimate tasks in terms of attitudinal, well-being, and behavioral effects.
Compared outcomes related to unreasonable and unnecessary tasks to assess differences in predictive validity.
Investigated moderating effects of sociodemographic factors like power distance and age, along with methodological factors.
Illegitimate tasks negatively affect employees' well-being, leading to higher burnout and work-family conflict.
Significant relationships found between illegitimate tasks and lower job performance as well as higher turnover intentions.
Differences observed between unreasonable tasks and unnecessary tasks in terms of their impacts on organizational citizenship behavior.

Abstract

= 65,124) quantitatively examines the consequences of illegitimate tasks across three domains: attitudinal (affective commitment, job satisfaction, work engagement, and turnover intentions), well-being (negative affect, burnout, and work-family conflict), and behavioral (job performance, innovative behavior, organizational citizenship behavior, counterproductive work behavior, and work withdrawal behavior). We also compare the relationships between the two dimensions of illegitimate tasks-unreasonable tasks and unnecessary tasks-and related outcomes to assess their differential predictive validity. Furthermore, we investigate the potential moderating effects of sociodemographic factors (power distance and age) and methodological factors (rating source and measurement time lag). In light of the findings, we discuss the theoretical and practical implications. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

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