Illegitimate tasks refer to duties perceived as unnecessary or unreasonable in relation to one’s professional role. When such tasks accumulate, employees often experience the situation as unfair. Illegitimate tasks are also regarded as stressors that undermine one’s autonomous, or internal, motivation. Conversely, employees who encounter fewer illegitimate tasks are more likely to feel that their work is meaningful or consistent with their values, according to a recent study exploring the associations of illegitimate tasks with work motivation.

The study involved approximately 700 working adults who responded to three study questionnaires during one year. Among those who frequently encountered illegitimate tasks, motivation towards work declined during the follow-up. However, employees who viewed their work as interesting and valuable tended to experience a reduction in tasks perceived as illegitimate over time.

This suggests that the experience of illegitimate tasks and motivation may have reciprocal associations. It is also possible that the same factors which sustain autonomous motivation may help reduce the perception of tasks as illegitimate.

Supporting autonomous motivation in the workplace is key

Karkkola notes that in today’s ever-evolving world of work, it is essential to identify trends that may contribute to employees’ perception of tasks as illegitimate, especially when such tasks erode motivation.

“With AI and efficiency-driven reforms reshaping workplaces, further research is needed to understand what might protect employees against perceiving tasks as illegitimate. What actions can individuals take, and what role does the work community play?”

So far, research into what constitutes an illegitimate task across different professions, and how these perceptions arise, remains relatively scarce.

“Based on the findings of this study, I would argue that actions to support employees’ autonomous motivation, and the workplace atmosphere, are crucial. When these are in check, employees are more likely to integrate tasks that are potentially perceived as illegitimate into the broader context of their work.”

Research article:
Karkkola, P. (2025). Illegitimate tasks and work motivation: Examining the full continuum of self-determination. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1111/sjop.70025