New Research Shows After-Work Invitations Can Boost or Hurt Employees Depending on Their Personality

New findings from the University of Georgia highlight a surprisingly complex dynamic behind those casual after-work invitations many employees receive. While these invites might seem like a friendly way to build team spirit, new research published in Personnel Psychology shows that they can carry both positive and negative consequences—and those effects depend heavily on the worker’s social confidence.

This study, led by researchers at the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business, digs into what actually happens when someone receives an invitation to a social activity with coworkers. The researchers wanted to examine the invitation itself, not just the event, and understand how people interpret it, respond to it, and emotionally process it before anything even happens.

Below is a clear and detailed breakdown of all the findings, what they mean, and why they matter.

How After-Work Invites Affect Employees Differently

Across several studies involving hundreds of full-time employees, the researchers discovered that after-work invitations can produce gratitude and connection for some people but stress and withdrawal for others.

Employees who are naturally more outgoing or feel confident in their social skills experienced a boost in how they viewed themselves and their workplace. For them, an invitation felt like recognition and inclusion. They tended to feel more valued, more connected, and more energized when coworkers wanted them around.

On the other hand, employees who identify as shy, introverted, or less socially confident often reacted very differently. These individuals felt pressure—pressure to show up, pressure to perform socially, and pressure about the consequences of declining. That pressure translated into anxiety and frustration. In some cases, even before the event happened, these employees became more tense and less productive simply because of the anticipation of the social demands the event might require.

What stood out in the research is that the negative feelings are not about the event itself. They are tied to the mere act of being invited and the psychological load that comes with deciding what to do.

Why These Invitations Feel Stressful for Some Employees

The study suggests that social invitations are not as simple as they appear. When someone receives an invitation to an after-work activity, a variety of internal questions immediately show up:

• What will happen if I say yes?
• How long will I need to stay?
• Who else is going?
• Will I seem rude if I decline?
• Will my coworkers judge me?

Even workers who feel grateful to be included may simultaneously worry about how they will come across or whether they can keep up socially. The researchers found that this mix of gratitude and anxiety can exist at the same time, pulling people in opposite emotional directions.

Those who anticipate more pressure or uncertainty tend to become anxious even if they eventually agree to attend. This anxiety can carry into their workday, resulting in mental fatigue or distraction as they go over the possible outcomes of their decision.

What the Study Found Through Multiple Research Methods

To ensure accuracy and depth, the researchers conducted several studies including experimental setups, field surveys, and real-time event-tracking with employees. These studies were conducted on diverse groups, including participants from both Western and Eastern cultures.

Their findings show:

• Invitations can create resource gains, such as higher self-esteem and increased willingness to help coworkers.
• Invitations can also create resource losses, including emotional exhaustion and withdrawal from work tasks.
• These effects operate simultaneously but differ depending on the individual’s baseline confidence in social interactions.
• The more socially confident a worker is, the more likely they are to experience the positive side.
• The less socially confident someone is, the more likely they will feel burdened or stressed by the invitation.

The researchers interpret these findings through Conservation of Resources Theory, which suggests that people try to preserve emotional and psychological resources. For some, an invitation leads to more emotional energy and connection. For others, it drains energy and causes tension.

What This Means for Workplaces

This research highlights an important reminder for teams, managers, and workplace organizers: good intentions don’t always produce good outcomes.

Inviting someone to an after-work event seems like a friendly gesture, but it can carry unintended consequences for certain individuals. The assumption that everyone will feel uplifted or included by these invitations doesn’t hold true for all employees.

Before sending invitations, it may help to:

• Consider each individual’s comfort levels
• Make it clear that attendance is optional
• Offer a mix of social activities, including low-pressure options
• Avoid pressuring employees to participate or making events feel obligatory
• Be mindful of when invitations are sent, since they can influence mood during the workday

The researchers suggest that simply being aware of the potential emotional impact can help employers and coworkers create a healthier, more respectful social environment.

Why Understanding Your Own Social Preferences Matters

The study also highlights the importance of employees understanding their own tendencies. Knowing whether you are energized or drained by social interaction can help you make clearer decisions about after-work activities.

The researchers note that acknowledging your limits—without guilt—can improve overall well-being. Being mindful of your preferences allows you to navigate social situations with confidence instead of reacting out of fear or obligation.

At the same time, employees with high social confidence should also stay aware of coworkers who may interpret invitations differently. A socially confident person may feel great receiving an invite and assume others feel the same way, but that isn’t always the case.

Additional Insights About Workplace Social Dynamics

Beyond this particular study, workplace social interactions have long been recognized as important to morale and bonding. But research in organizational psychology also shows that unstructured or after-hours interactions can create:

• Social fatigue
• Boundary confusion between personal and professional life
• Fear of missing out
• Concerns about being judged
• Unequal pressure, especially for more introverted employees

Studies in workplace culture also highlight that employees appreciate flexibility and autonomy. This means having the freedom to decline without feeling they will face negative consequences.

Additionally, after-work gatherings have been shown in past research to benefit some groups more than others. Extroverts generally experience boosts in mood and workplace connection, whereas introverts may require downtime to recharge rather than additional social obligations.

Overall, the new research from the University of Georgia adds a crucial piece to the workplace psychology puzzle: the invitation itself can alter how people feel and perform—even before the event happens.

Conclusion

This study reveals that something as ordinary as inviting a coworker for a drink, dinner, or activity after work is far more impactful than people realize. While some employees feel uplifted and valued, others feel stressed, anxious, or pressured. Understanding this difference can help both individuals and workplaces make more thoughtful decisions about social interactions.

Research Paper:
Do You Want to Hang Out? Understanding the Positive and Negative Consequences of Receiving Social Activity Invitations at Work