Examining the Dynamic Relational Effects of “Letting off Steam”: The Co‐Evolution of Workplace Venting and Advice‐Giving Ties

Abstract

Workplace venting (i.e., expressing frustrations or negative emotions regarding workplace problems) is common and can lead to negative short‐term consequences for ventors or listeners. However, existing research has overlooked the dyadic nature of venting and focused on short‐term reactions, thereby missing potential relational benefits of workplace venting ties (i.e., ongoing relationships where employees regularly seek out preferred listeners for venting). Drawing on social penetration theory and agentic perspectives of network dynamics, we propose a dynamic relational model to theorize how venting networks evolve and co‐evolve with advice‐giving networks through listeners’ choices to form or maintain venting and advice‐giving ties, respectively. We test this model by analyzing three waves of whole‐network data using Stochastic Actor‐Oriented Models (SAOMs). Results reveal that listeners are more likely to form or maintain subsequent venting and advice‐giving ties with their ventors. We also find that actors’ attributes, namely conscientiousness, can alter the co‐evolution process such that its effects are amplified for conscientious ventors but not conscientious listeners. Finally, we identify a potential cost of reduced advice provision when employees are a preferred listener for many coworkers (i.e., central to venting networks). We discuss the value and implications of employing a network approach to studying venting in the workplace.