Personality traits and employee engagement: The moderating effect of age and gender

Orientation: Employee engagement (EE) has been identified as a key aspect driving employee and organisational performance outcomes. Personality traits could assist in predicting levels of EE, while the moderating effect of age and gender could assist in determining whether these two biographical groups should be managed differently. However, overemphasis on these biographical distinctions could undermine an organisation’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) by reinforcing stereotypes or fostering inequitable practices. Research purpose: The purpose was to determine the moderation effect of age and gender on the relationship between personality traits and EE. Motivation for the study: Understanding the moderation effect of age and gender on the relationship between personality traits and EE could provide a deeper understanding of whether employees with different personality traits possess different levels of engagement given their age and gender. Research approach/design and method: Data obtained from a random sample of 124 employees in a financial organisation were subjected to multiple regression moderation analyses to determine whether age and gender moderated the relationship between personality traits and EE. Additional biographic variables measured were not controlled during the regression analyses. Main findings: The results of the study found that age and gender did not moderate the relationship between personality traits and EE. Practical/managerial implications: The use of the Occupational Personality Questionnaire (OPQ32r) to measure personality traits to determine their relationship with EE should be done with caution. Age and gender play no role in determining whether employees with different personality traits will possess different levels of EE. Contribution/value-add: This study contributed to existing knowledge about the use of personality traits for determining employees’ level of EE and the role of age and gender in this relationship.