In the Eye of the Storm: The Confluence of Change Uncertainty, Job Stress, and Ostracism

This study investigates the relationship between job stress, change uncertainty, and perceptions
of workplace ostracism, aiming to understand how uncertainty during times of change affects the
link between job stress and workplace exclusion. Using a two-wave sampling of workers across
various sectors (n=396) and employing the Job Demand-Control-Support (JDCS) Model as the
theoretical framework, the findings reveal that the combined effects of job stress and change
uncertainty buffer perceptions of ostracism, with significant moderation occurring only at
moderate and high levels of change uncertainty. This research enhances the understanding of
workplace dynamics and their impact on employee well-being and organizational outcomes,
offering valuable insights into how change uncertainty and job stress jointly predict workplace
ostracism and suggesting strategies to mitigate these negative effects.