Differentiated behavioural consequences of illegitimate tasks: The role of work motivation and stressor appraisals

Abstract Given the stressor essence of illegitimate tasks, we explored their potential bright side and the mechanisms of action that lead to differential behavioural consequences. Based on the Transactional Theory of Stress (TTS) and Self‐Determination Theory (SDT), we hypothesized that illegitimate tasks, as a common stressor in the workplace, could trigger differential appraisal results in employees, leading to distinct behavioural choices. Additionally, different work motivations moderated employees' appraisal results of illegitimate tasks. Through a two‐wave time‐lagged investigation with 317 Chinese employees, we found that when employees were assigned illegitimate tasks, they would either generate challenge appraisal, leading to a positive indirect effect on their voice behaviour, or hindrance appraisal, leading to a positive indirect effect on their silence behaviour. Furthermore, autonomous motivation moderated the relationship between illegitimate tasks and challenge appraisal, while controlled motivation demonstrated a substitution relationship with illegitimate tasks in influencing hindrance appraisal. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.