Unlocking Potential: The Role of Skills and Training in Workplace Wellbeing

The topic of workplace wellbeing has gained significance in organization studies over the last decades. In previous studies several determinants of workplace wellbeing have been identified. However, to date, no research has been conducted into the relationship between skills match, overskilling, underskilling, training importance and workplace wellbeing. The aim of this study is to investigate these relationships using the job demands-resources (JD-R) model. Additionally, the moderating role of training importance in the relationship between underskilling and workplace wellbeing is examined. Existing data from a sample of 20254 managers working in organizations across the EU27 countries and the United Kingdom are used. Results of the study show that skills match, compared to underskilling, is significantly positively related to workplace wellbeing. Overskilling, in comparison to underskilling and skills match, is significantly positively related to workplace wellbeing. Conversely, compared to skills match and overskilling, underskilling turns out to be significantly negatively related to workplace wellbeing. Training importance is significantly positively related to workplace wellbeing. No evidence is found for the moderating role of training importance in the relationship between underskilling and workplace wellbeing. The limitations and implications of this study are discussed, as well as directions for future research.