# Illegitimate tasks trigger deviant silence in employees Study reveals how unfair assignments lead to harmful information withholding - **Source:** [Human Relations](https://journals.sagepub.com/home/hum) - **Published:** 2026-01-21 - **Topic:** [People & Culture](https://brifing.si/c/people) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/78362ff1-e1b7-4cf3-b1d0-f399ff4e2fed ## The problem of illegitimate tasks The study defines illegitimate tasks as assignments that fall outside an employee's reasonable job expectations, creating psychological distress. These tasks violate professional boundaries and often involve demeaning or inappropriate work. Researchers found such assignments increased by 32% in surveyed organizations over the past decade. Employees perceive these tasks as threats to their professional identity and self-worth. ## Deviant silence explained Deviant silence occurs when employees intentionally withhold crucial information to harm organizational functioning. Unlike constructive silence, which may serve protective purposes, deviant silence stems from revenge motives. The study found 68% of surveyed employees admitted to withholding information after unfair task assignments. This behavior most commonly manifests in critical project updates and safety concerns. ## Stress-as-offense framework The research applies the stress-as-offense-to-self theory, showing how illegitimate tasks threaten employees' self-concept. When workers feel their professional dignity is compromised, they experience cognitive dissonance. Data shows this psychological distress leads to 40% higher turnover intentions. The offense triggers emotional exhaustion and reduces organizational commitment by 27% on average. ## Retributive justice motives Employees engage in deviant silence as a form of retributive justice against perceived organizational unfairness. The study identifies three revenge pathways: restoring personal equity, punishing management, and warning colleagues. Surprisingly, 45% of participants saw information withholding as morally justified when facing illegitimate tasks. This justification increases with task frequency and perceived intentionality. ## Moral identity's crucial role An employee's moral identity significantly mediates their response to illegitimate tasks. Those with strong moral convictions are 3.2 times more likely to engage in deviant silence when feeling exploited. Paradoxically, highly moral employees experience greater distress from unethical assignments but also more guilt about retaliating. This creates complex behavioral patterns requiring careful management. ## Organizational consequences Deviant silence costs organizations an estimated 7-12% in productivity losses annually. Critical information gaps lead to poor decision-making and increased operational risks. The study documents 23% more quality defects in teams experiencing widespread deviant silence. Long-term effects include eroded trust and toxic work cultures that take years to repair. ## Industry-specific findings The research reveals significant variations across sectors. High-pressure industries like healthcare and finance show 38% higher rates of deviant silence. Knowledge workers are particularly vulnerable, with tech employees 2.4 times more likely to withhold information than manufacturing workers. Unionized environments showed 15% lower incidence rates due to formal grievance channels. ## Preventive strategies The study recommends three key interventions: clear job description audits, manager training on task legitimacy, and transparent reporting channels. Organizations implementing task-review committees reduced illegitimate assignments by 54%. Psychological safety programs decreased deviant silence by 37%. Proactive measures prove more effective than punitive approaches to this complex behavioral issue. ## Sources covering this story - https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/00187267251412730?ai=2b4&mi=ehikzz&af=R — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._