A multilevel model of strategic human resource implications of employee furloughs

Abstract

Sudden crises, known as environmental jolts, can cripple unprepared organizations. In recent years, financial jolts have led many organizations, particularly government organizations, to respond by furloughing employees. Furloughs can engender various responses in employees that can lead to negative work outcomes for both the employees and the organization. Previous research shows that the implementation of strategic human resource management (SHRM) practices, such as commitment-based systems, can mitigate the negative effects of environmental jolts. Utilizing the knowledge-based view and affective events theory, we propose a multilevel model where SHRM practices moderate employee affective responses to furloughs, which, in turn, drive subsequent employee behavioral outcomes.

Citation

Bellairs, T., Halbesleben, J.R.B. and Leon, M.R. (2014), "A multilevel model of strategic human resource implications of employee furloughs", Research in Personnel and Human Resources Management (Research in Personnel and Human Resources Management, Vol. 32), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 99-146. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0742-730120140000032002