The Relationship between Workplace Fun and Work Engagement: The Mediating Roles of Informal Learning and Subjective Age among Older Employees
Keywords:
Workplace fun, Work engagement, Informal learning, Subjective age, Older employeesAbstract
This research aimed to investigate the mediating roles of informal learning and subjective age in the relationship between workplace fun and work engagement among older employees in the private sectors of Thailand. The study was conducted by collecting data from 208 older employees (i.e., between the ages of 40 and 65 years). Data from the online questionnaire were analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics, including mediation analysis (PROCESS macro). The results showed that workplace fun was positively associated with work engagement (β = .64, t = 7.188, SE = .09, 95% CI [.464, .815], p < .01). Informal learning was found to be a significant mediator between workplace fun and work engagement (β = .10, t = 2.860, SE = .04, 95% CI [.023, .196]). However, subjective age did not play a significant mediating role between workplace fun and work engagement. In summary, informal learning partially mediated between workplace fun and work engagement. When workplace fun is high, older employees are more likely to show higher informal learning, thus leading to higher work engagement. The findings provide implications such that organizations can design fun environments in the workplace and support informal learning for older employees.
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