Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is predominantly demonstrated as a panacea for employees. However, this study attempts to challenge common sense and focuses on the conditions under which CSR is related to disgust, subsequently resulting in employee turnover intentions. Drawing on the appraisal theory of disgust, we develop a conditional indirect effects model and propose that employee Machiavellianism and supervisor bottom-line mentality weaken the negative impact of CSR on turnover intention through disgust due to appraisals of violation to moral values. General support for the theoretical model is obtained from three studies, a scenario-based experiment, a laboratory experiment with facial expression analysis technology, and a multi-wave field study. Findings extend relevant literature and provide theoretical evidence for CSR practice. •Employees of highly Machiavellianism react negatively to CSR policy in the workplace.•Employees react negatively to CSR policy when their supervisors hold bottom-lined mentalities.•Negative reactions from employees are performed as disgust emotions and turnover intentions.•Employee's disgust emotion is positively related to turnover intention.