Title: The Effect of Workload Experiences on Employee’s Recovery Level and Risky Commuting Behaviours

Objective: Although extensive research has investigated the factors contributing to road accidents, there is still a lack of empirical studies exploring the relationship between employees’ work outcomes and road safety behaviours. This study aims to investigate how the workload experienced at work can impact employee commuters’ psychological detachment. Also, the study aims to test how two types of commuting behaviours moderate this relationship: using social networks and listening to music. Method: A daily diary study design was used to test the hypothesis of the study. A total of 115 working adults who commuted from work to home using their car in Italy participated in the study for three to five working days. The data was collected via an online survey. Data on daily recovery experiences were collected with the beginning-of-work diary surveys upon arrival of participants at work, while data on daily workload were collected at the end-of-workday. Result: Multilevel analysis revealed that daily workload did not relate significantly to daily psychological detachment. However, the use of social networks while commuting from work to home significantly moderated the negative relationship between daily workload and daily psychological detachment. In addition, findings did not indicate any significant interaction effect between daily workload and daily listening to music. Conclusion: Theoretically, this study provides empirical evidence to explain the relationship between work-related dimensions and risky driving behaviours. These findings indicate that commuters might engage in risky driving behaviours, i.e. use social media while driving, as a way to replenish their energetic resources after a busy day at work. More effective, non-risky behaviours that can facilitate employees’ recovery process need to be tested.