Purpose Based on the cognitive activation theory of stress, this study aims to explore why and how exposure to workplace ostracism as a stress stimulus, triggers proximal negative and positive reactions that lead to employees' distal work engagement and help-seeking behavior. Design/methodology/approach We conducted two waves of data collection separated by one month. The final sample included 203 participants. Findings The results indicate that workplace ostracism is positively related to affective rumination, which in turn reduces employees' work engagement. In addition, workplace ostracism is also positively related to problem-solving pondering, which enhances work engagement and encourages help-seeking behavior. These dual effects are positively moderated by employees' task mastery. Originality/value This study provides a comprehensive understanding of employees' reactions to workplace ostracism and enriches the literature on consequences of workplace ostracism.
Xu et al. (Wed,) studied this question.