Checked Out: The Impact of U.S. Public Library Politicization on Employee Turnover Intention, Emotional Exhaustion, and Reduced Compassion

Public library employees in the United States constitute a fundamental example of street-level bureaucrats who endure pressure from politicization, affecting how they interact with the public. The politicization of public jobs may produce burnout and health issues, and embattled employees may even leave their profession. This study uses the job demands-resources model (JD-R) to investigate whether demands resulting from politicization increase turnover intention, emotional exhaustion, and reduced compassion, and whether resources or public service motivation (PSM) buffers these effects. Using a national survey of library workers, we find that greater demands are associated with negative workplace perceptions. Resources reduce these perceptions and weaken the relationship between demands and turnover intention. PSM, however, does not moderate the impact of demands on any outcome. Leaders in politicized organizations should provide institutional support to help employees cope with demands from politicization, though emotional exhaustion and reduced compassion may occur even with ample resources.