Work well-being as a key factor for better performance among young employees

The present study examines the relationship between work well-being and job performance among young employees (Gen Z and Millennials) in Spain. A PLS-SEM analysis of survey data from 412 workers was conducted to ascertain how four dimensions of well-being (job satisfaction, supervisor emotional accessibility, organisational respect, and impact on mental health/personal life) affect three performance facets (task, contextual and counterproductive behaviours). The findings of the study demonstrate that job satisfaction exerts a substantial influence on both task and contextual performance.

Conversely, the detrimental effects on mental health and personal life are found to be associated with an escalation in counterproductive behaviours and a decline in contextual performance. It is interesting to note that supervisor emotional accessibility and organisational respect did not directly influence performance, suggesting that they may act as baseline expectations rather than motivators. The findings serve to refine social exchange theory and offer practical guidance, prioritising mental health protection and intrinsic job satisfaction to enhance young workers’ performance and well-being.

The authors would like to express their gratitude to the May 1st Foundation for recognising the importance of this research paper. This research was funded by the Fundación 1° de Mayo, whose mission is to study and explore all aspects related to the world of work. The May 1st Foundation awarded €2000 in funding to carry out this research.

This research was carried out with funding from the May 1st Foundation of the Spanish trade union Confederación Sindical de Comisiones Obreras (CC.OO.). https://1mayo.ccoo.es. Department of Business Organisation, National University of Distance Education, Madrid, Spain Department of Social Sciences, Philosophy, Geography and Translation and Interpretation, University of Córdoba, Cordoba, Spain Department of Management and Business Economy, University of Leon, León, Spain Department of Statistics, Econometrics, Operational Research, Business Management and Applied Economics, University of Córdoba, Cordoba, Spain The authors declare no competing interests. Declaration of having complied with the ethical principles and responsible practices of the code of responsible practices and integrity in research of the University of Cordoba: Ramón Rueda-López, Jaime Aja-Valle, José Luis Vázquez-Burguete and María Jesús Vázquez-García, teaching and research staff of the University of Cordoba and University of Leon.

DECLARE THAT: They have participated in the research of “Work well-being as a key factor for better performance among young employees” developed during December 2023 was based on a survey that was answered by 199 people, with the characteristics detailed in the article. This research has been guided by the ethical standards of the University of Cordoba (Spain), an institution to which two members of the research team belong. The University of Cordoba has a Research Integrity Committee and a Code of Responsible Practices and Research Integrity Code.

This UCO Code of Responsible Practices and Research Integrity does not require prior approval for research of this type. The Code states that “All researchers have the obligation to transmit the principles and good practices described below to the persons whose research tasks they coordinate or direct, not allowing practices that call them into question” (p. 3). The research has been conducted following the ethical principles of honesty, responsibility, respect, freedom, recognition, impartiality and independence, fairness, transparency and accountability.