Beyond Emotional Resentment: Cognitive and Relational Paths to Strategic Unforgiveness at Work

Abstract: The aim of the study is to examine how unforgiveness is reflected in workplace relationships following interpersonal transgressions. Drawing from qualitative narratives, two distinct paths that unforgiveness operates are examined as: cognitive and relational path. In the relational regulation path, there is little emphasis on forgiveness and reconciliation, and the aim is to change the structure of the relationship. In contrast, the cognitive path focuses on how the victim processes and makes sense of the event internally through moral re-evaluation and sensemaking processes rather than overt action. Hierarchical positioning of the offender dictates the expression of unforgiveness, shifting from relational sanctions to cognitive sensemaking processes as the offender’s power increases. The findings suggest that unforgiveness functions as a structurally mediated response through which workers strategically adapt to power imbalances.

Keywords: unforgiveness, power asymmetry, workplace transgressions