Forgiveness at Work, Forgiveness at Home? Testing the Context-Dependence of Forgiveness-Related Attitudes and Values

Research and theory on forgiveness in the workplace draws considerably on results from the study of close relationships. This paper considers whether forgiveness-related attitudes and perceptions systematically differ in the home versus workplace contexts. Previous work suggests that people may see forgiveness as less appropriate to express at work than at home, and that they may adjust their values or attitudes relating to forgiveness depending on whether the transgression is personal or professional. It is important to understand whether context shapes forgiveness, because it speaks to the appropriateness of generalizing from theory and research in close relationships when studying forgiveness in organizations. Across three studies (n=944), we experimentally manipulate context (work versus home), and test its effect on forgiveness, the forgivingness of self and others, attitudes toward forgiveness, the perceived riskiness of forgiveness, the willingness to forgive unconditionally, sources of forgiveness aversion, and reactions to others’ forgiveness. In each case, we find no evidence to suggest that forgiveness-related attitudes differ substantively between the home and workplace contexts. We conclude by discussing the implications of this finding for forgiveness as an interdisciplinary topic of study.