Safe or Broke: An Exploration of How Front-Line Workers Cope During COVID-19

33 Pages Posted: 19 Oct 2021

See all articles by Sohaila Hussaini

Sohaila Hussaini

University of Missouri, St. Louis

Shannon Lively

University of Missouri, St. Louis

Regina McWilliams

University of Missouri, St. Louis

Johnna Murray

University of Missouri, St. Louis

Date Written: October 18, 2021

Abstract

Objective: In this study, we explored how front-line workers experience the problem of staying safe or returning to work during COVID-19. Background: Front line workers were considered essential and could not avoid working with the public during the pandemic of COVID-19. There has been little academic information, how these workers coped with the dilemma of going to work during a pandemic. This study aims to provide information that may help create effective communication to help front-line workers cope while continuing to work. Method: Interviewed participants' comments were transcribed, coded, and analyzed. Several techniques were used, such as hand-coding, text mining, and sentiment analysis. Results: The analysis of the data revealed themes of fear, compliance, and faith. Although participants were generally neutral about returning to work or working during the pandemic, participants mentioned fear frequently. Words related to compliance and faith appeared more regularly than fear. Conclusion: Due to the higher frequency of words related to compliance and faith, it seems that these two themes superseded fear. Front line workers who can rely on rules and trust in their management and coworkers will manage stress created by fear of COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19, Protection Motivation Theory, Communication, Coping Appraisal

Suggested Citation

Hussaini, Sohaila and Lively, Shannon and McWilliams, Regina and Murray, Johnna, Safe or Broke: An Exploration of How Front-Line Workers Cope During COVID-19 (October 18, 2021). Proceedings of the Eleventh International Conference on Engaged Management Scholarship- EMS 2021, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3944918

Sohaila Hussaini (Contact Author)

University of Missouri, St. Louis ( email )

Shannon Lively

University of Missouri, St. Louis ( email )

Regina McWilliams

University of Missouri, St. Louis ( email )

Johnna Murray

University of Missouri, St. Louis ( email )

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