When Kindness Matters: The Double-Edged Role of Job Embeddedness in High-Incivility Workplaces

Abstract

This study investigated the complex interplay between workplace well-being, workplace incivility, job embeddedness, and turnover intention among employees in the logistics sector. Amid rising concerns about interpersonal mistreatment and employee retention, understanding how these interacting variables become critical in high-incivility environments is necessary. The primary objective is to assess the direct effects of wellbeing and incivility on turnover intention and examine whether job embeddedness moderates these relationships.
Using a quantitative approach, data were collected from 160 logistics employees in East Kalimantan and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling with SmartPLS 4. The results reveal that workplace incivility has a strong positive effect on turnover intention, whereas workplace well-being has no significant effect. Job embeddedness significantly moderates the relationship between incivility and turnover intention, but not between well-being and turnover intention.
These findings provide new insights into the boundary conditions of embeddedness theory and highlight the importance of social cohesion in mitigating the effects of negative workplace behaviors. Practical implications emphasize the need for respectful work culture and strategic HR interventions to strengthen employee attachment and reduce attrition risks in high-stress settings.