Abstract
The case illustrates the causes and consequences of boredom at work, which are poorly understood at workplaces. It tells a story of 'John', a former entrepreneur turned into an employee in a large, hierarchical organization, where he is constantly occupied by busywork while being unable to make progress towards his goals or address the underlying problems keeping him from doing so. Although boredom at work is often associated with lacking things to do, the case highlights how it rather arises from lacking meaning. While boredom at work is an overlooked phenomenon of employee well-being, with much of the research focusing on stress and burnout from excessive work demands, this case zooms in on the implications that meaninglessness of work and the resulting boredom can have on workers. The case further describes, how John's work situation influences his personal and family life. The case demonstrates how individuals may seek to cope with lack of interest in their work, especially when their opportunities for action are limited.