Effects of Underload and Overload on Job Satisfaction and Stress: How Important is Job Tenure?

Using experiential learning theory and human capital theory, we propose that job tenure influences individuals’ interpretations of and reactions to an increase in underload (i.e. abilities of a person exceed demands of a job) and overload (i.e. demands of a job exceed abilities of a person). Specifically, we examine job satisfaction and stress as outcomes. To do so, we analyse two-wave survey data from 810 military professionals of the Swiss Armed Forces. Results show that respondents with short job tenure report lower job satisfaction when perceiving an increase in underload. Respondents with long job tenure react with higher stress when perceiving an increase in overload. Overall, findings suggest that whilst an increase in underload, which restricts opportunities to learn new skills, is more negatively perceived earlier on in a job, an increase in overload, which hinders full skill use and the potential benefits of full skill use, is more negatively perceived later.