The importance of small business safety and health climates during COVID-19
Brown, Carol E. ; Schwatka, Natalie ; Dexter, Lynn ; Dally, Miranda ; Shore, Erin ; Tenney, Liliana ; Newman, Lee S.
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
2021
63
2
81-88
occupational safety and health ; epidemic disease ; SME ; well being
Occupational safety and health
https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000002080
English
Bibliogr.;Ill.
"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."
Digital
The ETUI is co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the ETUI.