Managing employees’ health, safety and anxiety in a pandemic
International Journal of Workplace Health Management
ISSN: 1753-8351
Article publication date: 18 March 2022
Issue publication date: 29 March 2022
Abstract
Purpose
This paper identifies and discusses the strategies adopted by a manufacturing company to manage its national and international employees' anxiety, health and safety with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, to fill a current research gap.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses the qualitative method to identify the strategies employed by a manufacturing company to manage its employees' anxiety, health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thematic analysis of data from fourteen semi-structured interviews is presented.
Findings
Results from the data analysed show that five strategies that help manage employees' health, safety and anxiety are - enhanced communication, formulation and enforcement of policies, rules and regulation, education and training, and management commitment. The findings indicate that the implementation of these strategies does not lead to a negative effect and therefore can conclude that there was no cobra effect.
Research limitations/implications
Although exploratory and based on one organisation; the findings lay the foundation for future theoretically grounded research on management of employees' health, safety and anxiety.
Practical implications
Findings could be the basis for training for managers and also be used to modify the strategies applied in managing employees' anxiety, health and safety.
Originality/value
This paper investigates and offers insight into the best strategies to adopt to manage employees' anxiety, safety and health during the COVID-19 pandemic in the manufacturing sector.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Ethical consideration. Participation in the interview was voluntary and consent for recording sort. Anonymity was assured and data gathered secured.
Citation
Obuobisa-Darko, T. (2022), "Managing employees’ health, safety and anxiety in a pandemic", International Journal of Workplace Health Management, Vol. 15 No. 2, pp. 113-130. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJWHM-09-2021-0178
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited