RESEARCH ON THE IMPACT OF CONSTRUCTION WORKERS' JOB STRESS ON TURNOVER INTENTION IN THE PAKISTANI CONTEXT

Abstract

 Over the past few years, there has been a booming construction sector in Pakistan as a result of the infrastructure development projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and urban housing programs. Such growth has however aggravated the work pressure on employees and the resultant job burnout and turnover intention, which in turn has negative implications to the organizations stability and productivity. This paper explores the connections between work stress, turnover intention, and job burnout by developing a theoretical model and confirming it with surveys and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). According to the findings, construction workers in Pakistan are majorly exposed to work environment hazards, heavy workload and work-family conflict, which are key stressors in emotional burnout and professional alienation, increasing chances of quitting their job. Job burnout is a partial mediator of the relationship between work stress and turnover intention, and emotional exhaustion and depersonalization have the strongest mediating impact. The findings will be of great importance in guiding construction organization and policy makers in Pakistan to make specific interventions aimed at minimizing burnout and enhancing staff retention.