Drawing on the conservation of resources (COR) theory (Hobfoll, 1989) and the emergent economic stress framework proposed by Shoss and Probst (2012), the present study examines how employees' daily financial worries deplete resources, thereby fueling turnover intentions and job search behavior through increased stress perceptions. Building on the dominant literature that conceptualizes workplace support as a protective buffer against strain, we hypothesized that support provisions from one's supervisor and co-workers would mitigate the early stress process stemming from day-to-day financial worries. Using 32-day aggregated daily internet surveys (DIS) and longitudinal survey assessments (baseline, 3- and 9-month follow-ups), data were obtained from 159 military veteran employees. Analyses using complex linear modeling and structural equation modeling revealed that daily financial worry was positively associated with employee perceptions of stress at 3 months, which, in turn, was positively associated with an increase in employee turnover intentions and job search behavior at 9 months. Contrary to our predictions, employees reporting higher levels of co-worker support strengthened, rather than weakened, the relationship between daily financial worry and stress. No moderating effects unfolded for supervisor support. These findings contribute to understanding how current acute resource loss states evolve into proximal withdrawal consequences through the mechanism of stress and clarify why, despite theoretical expectations of buffering, support may function as a "pressure cooker" that intensifies a worry-stress response. Practically, study results underscore the organizational need to formally account for and address employees' financial concerns.
