The positive effect of perceived leader humor on negative workplace gossip

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the positive relationship between employee perceived leader humor and employee negative workplace gossip about a leader (NWGL). Using a multiple time point investigation of leaders and followers (N = 168), I found that perceived leader humor was positively related to NWGL and that employee perceived team inclusion mediated this relationship. Further, employee job security moderated the relationship between perceived leader humor and employee perceived team inclusion, and also moderated the mediating effect of employee perceived team inclusion in the link between perceived leader humor and employee NWGL. These findings suggest that the beneficial effects of leader humor are not universal, and that the fostering of leader humor might have unintended negative consequences, that is, increased NWGL through employee perception of team inclusion. Implications for theory and research are discussed.