Status quo bias in worklife

This study aims to investigate the effects of status quo bias, one of the behavioral biases, on work life. Status quo bias is defined as a tendency to maintain the current situation and refers to the preference of an option solely because it is the status quo, even when rationally better options are available. This bias is considered an irrational decision-making mechanism because it leads individuals to choose to preserve the current state without evaluating all options. For example, children who support the football team their family supports, or families who consistently invest their savings in the same traditional investment vehicle, can demonstrate the everyday manifestations of status quo bias. Status quo bias affects individuals' decisions in many areas of life, from educational choices to financial preferences, from romantic relationship selections to the use of technological products. Therefore, it can be expected to influence employees' happiness, job satisfaction, and motivation in the workplace. In this study, the effects of status quo bias on work life were examined using variables such as job motivation, job stress, propensity for teamwork, intention to leave the job, and job satisfaction. Indeed, it was found that status quo bias has varying levels of impact in work life.