Coping with workplace ostracism: the role of rumination in work engagement and help-seeking behavior
基于认知激活压力理论，研究职场排斥如何通过情感反刍和问题解决沉思两种路径影响员工的工作投入和求助行为，并发现任务掌握度会调节这些效应。
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.