The Importance of Small Business Safety and Health Climates During COVID-19

Abstract

Objective: This study examines employee perceptions of safety and health climates for well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic in a sample of small businesses. Methods: We evaluated changes to employees’ work and home life resulting from COVID-19 and perceptions of safety and health climates. Cross-sectional relationships were assessed using multivariable linear regression models for a sample of 491 employees from 30 small businesses in Colorado in May 2020. Results: Employee perceptions of safety and health climates were significantly related to their self-reported well-being during the first wave of COVID-19, even when there were changes to childcare, the ability to work, and limited social contacts. Conclusion: Safety and health climates may influence employee well-being even when other disruptions occur, suggesting that during emergencies, small businesses with strong climates may be better prepared to maintain employee well-being.

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Work and worker health in the post-pandemic world: a public health perspective

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Factors Affecting COVID-19 Preventive Behaviors among University Students in Beijing, China: An Empirical Study Based on the Extended Theory of Planned Behavior

“…Schwatka et al [ 33 ] found that organizational safety and the health climate were positively correlated with the healthy behaviors of workers in small businesses. During the COVID-19 pandemic, although no study has directly examined the relationship between the institutional climate and preventive behaviors of COVID-19, several recent studies have provided insight into the role of institutional factors that protect against the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and promote precautionary actions to minimize risk while sustaining psychological wellbeing [ 34 , 35 ]. In particular, Tausen et al [ 36 ] reported that the response and support of universities combating COVID-19 increased the subjective well-being of Asian students at a predominantly white university during the COVID-19 crisis in the US.…”