Undervaluing your worth: examining the nexus between perceived overqualification and employee negative megaphoning

This study examined the relationship between perceived overqualification (POQ) and employee’s negative megaphoning behavior. Further, we have studied the mediating role of job strain and the moderating role of meritocracy. Employees of service sector organizations were surveyed using a time-lagged data design. The study model was analyzed using PLS-SEM. The findings indicate that (1) POQ is positively related to negative megaphoning behavior; (2) job strain mediates the path between POQ and negative megaphoning behavior; (3) the direct influence of POQ on job strain and indirect impact of POQ on negative megaphoning behavior via job strain is moderated by meritocracy. The findings suggest that organizations should foster meritocratic practices to alleviate job strain and curb negative megaphoning behaviors, promoting a fair and supportive work environment for overqualified employees.