Furlough and its effects on employees after returning to work: the roles of psychological contract breach and violation, and perceived organizational support

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic brought about changes in the working world. One of main strategies to cope with economic situation during lockdowns was furlough employees. In current study, we propose that psychological contract breach and violation between organization furloughed employee act as underlying mechanisms explain relationship employees' status increase their emotional exhaustion decrease affective commitment. Furthermore, suggest perceived organizational support can a buffer attenuates association employment breach. study conducted at two points time: first lockdown 4 months afterward ( N = 336). Results supported predicted indirect sequential associations. However, served only case employees who continued work.