Managing coworker conflict: investigating the effect of workplace phubbing and mindfulness on employee deviant and negligent behavior

Purpose This study aims to examine the influence of workplace phubbing on employee deviant behavior and negligence, while also investigating the mediating role of coworker conflict. Additionally, the study explores the moderating effect of workplace mindfulness on the relationship between workplace phubbing, the mediators and employee deviant behavior and negligence. Design/methodology/approach Data were gathered from employees in the service sector in the UAE using an online survey questionnaire. A total of 374 participants submitted complete responses. The study’s hypotheses were tested through regression-based moderated path analysis, incorporating conditional process modeling and nonlinear bootstrapping. Findings The study indicates that experiencing “phubbing” at work contributes to feelings of coworker conflict, which subsequently leads to increased interpersonal deviance and employee negligence. Moreover, workplace mindfulness weakens the positive influence of being phubbed on coworker conflict, interpersonal deviance and employee negligence. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no previous studies have examined the negative impact of being “phubbed” at the individual employee level within the service industry. This study aims to contribute to both theory and practice by elucidating the mediating mechanism of coworker conflict and exploring the moderating effects of workplace mindfulness.