In this mental state, employees high in conscientiousness may decide to demonstrate high organizational commitment due to transactional fairness in accordance with the norms of reciprocity, as long as a perceived debt exists. Highly religious and conscientious workers may believe that quitting goes against their work-oriented beliefs (e.g., the Protestant work ethic), with any volition to carry through with quitting, a sign of poor character.
During this mental state, employees high in conscientiousness might show high organizational commitment due to transactional fairness based on norms of reciprocity, provided a perceived debt exists. Highly religious and conscientious workers may believe that quitting contradicts their work-oriented beliefs (e.g., the Protestant work ethic), viewing any intention to quit as an indication of poor character.