<p>Adverse social messages do not have to be directly offensive or intentional; they can also result from tasks that do not correspond to one's occupational role (so-called illegitimate tasks) and thus offend the self. Drawing on Stress as Offense to Self and recovery theories, we propose a mechanism that explains how these subtle stressors may contribute to common important health complaints (sleep disturbances and musculoskeletal pain). Functional recovery may be disrupted both by emotional exhaustion due to doubts about the quality of relationships and one's own competencies, and by concerns about the deterioration of valued working conditions (“qualitative job insecurity”). A sample of 155 employees participated in an online longitudinal study with three measurement points (six weeks apart). Results from structural equation modeling support our hypothesis of a separate indirect effect of illegitimate tasks on sleep disturbances and musculoskeletal pain via emotional exhaustion, but not via qualitative job insecurity. Furthermore, a serial indirect effect via qualitative job insecurity and preceding emotional exhaustion was found. Our findings support and extend research on illegitimate tasks. This study highlights the role of emotional exhaustion in linking illegitimate tasks and health complaints and the necessity of preventive measures addressing illegitimate tasks, job insecurity, and the impact of better communication in organizations on employee well-being and retention.</p>