Big five traits and self-determination in preferences for working in person: the moderating role of communication overload

Purpose This study examines how Big Five traits and self-determination needs influence employees' return-to-office preferences after mandatory remote work, and how communication overload (CO) moderates these relationships. Design/methodology/approach A survey of 301 full-time US employees was analyzed using hierarchical regression and PROCESS moderation models. Findings Extraversion and relatedness related to in-person preference, while conscientiousness, autonomy and competence favored remote work. CO moderated several personality and self-determination traits, such that higher CO generally weakened or reversed the associations with in-person workplace preference, generally bolstering remote work preferences. Originality/value This study integrates personality psychology, self-determination theory and CO to explain workplace preferences. It reveals how overload conditions alter trait-based predictions, offering practical insights for managing common hybrid work environments. Findings contribute a novel perspective on digital-era workplace behavior, emphasizing the need for tailored communication and organizational flexibility.