The role of self-endangering work behavior in burnout among Japanese discretionary labor system workers in relation to workaholism and work engagement

Burnout has become a major occupational health concern in Japan, particularly under flexible work arrangements that may intensify self-regulatory demands. This study aimed to clarify the effects of self-endangering work behavior (SEWB) and other work-related psycho-behavioral factors on burnout among Japanese workers. An Internet-based cross-sectional survey was conducted with 800 participants (four groups of 200 each): two groups engaged in professional and planning work under a discretionary labor system, and two comparable groups of non-discretionary workers. The discretionary labor system in Japan allows employees greater autonomy over working hours while evaluating performance based on deemed working time rather than actual hours worked. Among professional workers, burnout (emotional impairment), SEWB, workaholism, and work engagement were significantly higher in discretionary compared with non-discretionary workers. Multiple regression analyses showed burnout was positively associated with SEWB and workaholism in both professional groups. Among planning workers, SEWB and work engagement were higher in discretionary workers, whereas burnout did not differ significantly. Burnout was positively associated with workaholism in both groups and with SEWB only in non-discretionary workers. These findings suggest differential risks of burnout depending on occupational type and labor system.