Extensive research shows that unsolicited help can trigger negative psychological responses in recipients, such as increased stress levels and reduced effort directed toward work-related goals. However, whether it also has interpersonal consequences is less known. Drawing upon politeness theory, we investigate (1) whether unsolicited help negatively influences coworker helping dynamics at work through its impact on recipients’ “positive face” (i.e., desire for others’ approval), and (2) whether the social setting in which unsolicited help is offered (public or private) moderates these responses. To do so, we conducted two experimental studies, one with working professionals (N = 204) and another with undergraduate business students (N = 480). Consistent with our predictions, the results revealed that receiving unsolicited (vs. solicited) help from a coworker led recipients to perceive a greater threat to and lower regard for their positive face, undermining their motivation to reciprocate such help in the future. However, these effects only emerged when the help was provided
