Work-related Mobile Instant Messaging Use After Work Hours During Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic has a far-reaching impact on workplace practices with billions of employees worldwide have to alter work patterns. Most employees fully embraced digital technologies, including mobile instant messaging (MIM) apps, to fulfil their work obligations under new normal. However, the work-related MIM use does not translate into good practice. Its use has extended beyond the contracted schedule, worsening work-life balance, job satisfaction and job performance among employees. Despite the gradual easing of lockdown measures, work-related MIM use after work hours will likely continue to an undetermined period as herd immunity is yet to achieve. Therefore, this captures the urgency to understand the mechanism on how work-related MIM use after work hours can be beneficial to employees during the pandemic, which is under-represented. The study elicited data through an online survey from 368 full-time employees in Malaysia. The evidence suggested employees who obtained information sharing gratification, mobile convenience gratification and self-presentation gratification enjoyed better WLB, subsequently formed higher job satisfaction and ultimately enhance their job performance, based on the postulation of the Uses and Gratification theory and Job Demands-Resources theory. Thus, work-related MIM use after work hours should not be interpreted negatively. Both researchers and practitioners should work jointly on how to implement practices concerning healthy yet sustainable MIM use after work hours to be more resilient for future pandemics.