Out of sight, out of mind? Investigating the impact of emotional intelligence on counterproductive work behavior in remote work

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this research is to investigate the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and counterproductive work behavior (CWB) in remote work (RW).

Design/methodology/approach In total, 489 currently employed people were surveyed in April 2022 – 2 years after the start of the pandemic and 1 year before “the great return” to the workplace.

Findings Results reveal that EI is negatively associated with CWB and that RW moderates this relationship. The more people work remotely, the more likely they are to adopt CWB. However, this tendency is lower for people with higher EI.

Originality/value This research contributes to the literature on CWB by highlighting the role EI plays in the specific context of RW. In terms of practical implications, it sheds lights on the importance of carefully designing human resource management policies towards RW.