An Empirical Analysis of the Mediating Role of Fear of COVID-19 Between Telecommuting and Employees Retention

Telecommuting has been found to have a profound effect on employee turnover intention. However, the literature is vague in understanding the mechanism through which telecommuting affects employee retention (ER). Grounded on the conservation of resource (COR) theory and social exchange theory (SET),...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Employee responsibilities and rights journal 2024-09, Vol.36 (3), p.315-336
Main Authors: Kakar, Abdul Samad, Rauza, Misron, Aervina, Lateef, Fahad
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Comparative Law
COVID-19
Employee turnover
Employees
Ethics
Fear & phobias
International & Foreign Law
NGOs
Nongovernmental organizations
Policy making
Private International Law
Social exchange theory
Social Sciences
Telecommuting
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Summary:Telecommuting has been found to have a profound effect on employee turnover intention. However, the literature is vague in understanding the mechanism through which telecommuting affects employee retention (ER). Grounded on the conservation of resource (COR) theory and social exchange theory (SET), this study examined the impact of telecommuting on ER and fear of COVID-19 and the subsequent impact of fear of COVID-19 on ER. The study also investigated fear of COVID-19 as a mediating mechanism between telecommuting and ER. Data collected from 307 employees working in nonprofit and nongovernmental organisations in Balochistan, Pakistan was analysed using PLS-SEM. The findings showed that telecommuting was positively related to ER while its relationship was negative and significant with fear of COVID-19. Further analyses showed that fear of COVID-19 was negatively related to ER. The findings further revealed that fear of COVID-19 mediated the influence of telecommuting on ER. The overall results demonstrate the importance of telecommuting in strengthening ER and reducing fear of COVID-19. The study provides a tool for policymakers and management practitioners to set up plans for a situation like COVID-19 in the future.
ISSN:0892-7545
1573-3378
DOI:10.1007/s10672-023-09448-3