Safety behaviors and job satisfaction during the pandemic: The mediating roles of uncertainty and managerial commitment. (September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Keyao; Griffin, Mark A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of safety research. Volume 82(2022)
• Page Start: 166
• Page End: 175
• Publication Date: 2022-09
• Subjects: Covid-19 pandemic -- Psychological uncertainty -- Safety compliance -- Managerial safety commitment -- Safety participation -- Job satisfaction; Industrial safety -- Periodicals; Accidents -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Safety -- Periodicals; Accidents, Occupational -- Periodicals; Sécurité du travail -- Périodiques; Accidents -- Prévention -- Périodiques; Accidents -- Prevention; Industrial safety; Periodicals; 363.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsr.2022.05.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-4375

Abstract

Highlights: Experience of Covid-19 was associated with lower employee job satisfaction, explained by higher psychological uncertainty and decreased perception of managerial commitment to safety. Contrasting pathways from experience of Covid-19 to safety behaviors were found. On the one hand, higher psychological uncertainty caused by the pandemic was associated with lower perceptions of managerial safety commitment, which was linked to reduced safety behaviours. On the other hand, experience of Covid-19 showed unexpected positive direct links with safety behaviors, which might be explained by workers' enhanced safety knowledge, motivation and status of mindfulness due to Covid-19 related safety instructions and communications. This exploratory study helps to deepen the understanding of workplace safety and well-being in the context of pandemic and in times of uncertainty. Abstract: Introduction: As the Covid-19 pandemic affects the world, disruptions to work routines impose a psychological burden on people, and thus can affect their job performance and well-being. We conducted an empirical study to explore the links between the experience of Covid-19 and workers' safety behaviors and well-being outcome of job satisfaction. Method: Structural equation modelling (SEM) with a sample of 515 safety workers was conducted to simultaneously test the links among these constructs. Results: Experience of Covid-19 was associated with lower employee job satisfaction, explained by higher psychological uncertainty and decreased perception of managerial commitment to safety. Notably, contrasting pathways from experience of Covid-19 to safety behaviors were found. On the one hand, higher psychological uncertainty caused by the pandemic was associated with lower perceptions of managerial safety commitment; and lower perceived managerial safety commitment was linked to reduced safety compliance and safety participation. On the other hand, experience of Covid-19 in this study showed unexpected positive direct links with safety behaviors, which might be explained by workers' enhanced safety knowledge, motivation, and status of mindfulness due to Covid-19 related safety instructions and communications. Conclusions: This exploratory study helps to deepen the understanding of workplace safety and well-being in the context of pandemic and in times of uncertainty. Practical Applications: The practical insights are useful for applying appropriate strategies for managing the Covid-19 crisis, coping with uncertainties, and building a healthier and safer workplace in the long run.