Job Crafting strategies to reduce job boredom and boost engagement

Feeling bored at work? It’s more common than you might think.

Job boredom often sneaks in when employees feel underused or unstimulated, leaving them unmotivated and less productive. It’s especially common in roles with repetitive tasks that don’t make full use of someone’s skills and interests.

The good news? Job crafting offers a way to tackle boredom head-on, giving employees the power to reshape their roles in ways that play to their strengths, spark their interests, and align with their goals.

How job crafting combats boredom

Job crafting is a proactive way for employees to breathe new life into their work. It allows them to adjust the tasks they do, the people they interact with, and how they view their role, all with the aim of creating a job that feels more engaging and meaningful.

Here are three ways to put job crafting into action:

1. Task crafting
   Employees can adjust what they do or how they approach their tasks. Whether it’s taking on a challenging project, finding smarter ways to handle routine work, or adding a creative twist to their assignments, these changes bring variety and reduce monotony.
   
   

2. Relational crafting
   Encouraging employees to rethink their work relationships can also make a huge difference. Collaborating with different colleagues, mentoring peers, or even strengthening existing connections can give them fresh perspectives and reduce the isolation that often fuels boredom.
   
   

3. Cognitive crafting
   Sometimes, it’s all about changing the way we think. Employees can reframe their tasks by connecting them to a bigger purpose. For instance, recognising how their work supports the company or benefits customers can make even repetitive roles feel more rewarding.

When boredom feels like a trap: the role of managers

Here’s the tricky part; bored employees may feel too drained to initiate changes on their own. That’s where leaders come in. 

A supportive manager can help employees identify areas for growth, set achievable challenges, and provide opportunities to reshape their roles. With coaching, feedback, and clear guidance, even the most disengaged team members can find the motivation to take charge of their work.

Restoring resources through job crafting

According to the Conservation of Resources (COR) Theory, we’re all driven to build and protect resources like autonomy, feedback, and social support. 

Boredom drains these resources, making it harder to stay motivated. But by enabling employees to craft their roles, organisations can help replenish these vital reserves, breaking the cycle of boredom and sparking new energy.

Making job crafting part of the culture

For job crafting to have lasting impact, it needs to be embedded in the company culture. 

Employees should feel empowered to continually improve their roles—whether that’s by taking on new challenges, learning fresh skills, or even exploring new career paths within the organisation. A culture of job crafting keeps boredom at bay and ensures employees stay motivated and engaged.

In summary:

Job crafting is the antidote to job boredom. By reshaping their roles to fit their strengths, interests, and goals, employees can rediscover their motivation and thrive.

Organisations that support this proactive approach—through task, relational, and cognitive crafting—will see the benefits in employee well-being, engagement, and productivity.

When leaders champion job crafting and encourage ongoing role-shaping, the workplace becomes a dynamic, energised environment where everyone can thrive.

This article was written by Thaleia Maria Sykioti, a recent Occupational psychology graduate from the University of Sheffield.

Connect with Thaleia on LinkedIn.