Abstract
Despite climate change being identified as a current or future risk for organizations, researchers have yet to understand employees’ perceptions of their workplaces’ preparedness for climate change-related natural hazards (cc hazards) such as floods and wildfires. The purpose of this preliminary study is to describe the current state of workplace preparedness for cc hazards and to ascertain whether workplace preparedness for cc hazards aligns with state hazard priorities for cc hazards. Using data collected in 2014 from an online, national survey of 2,008 employees in the United States, the results indicate that workplaces are moderately prepared for cc hazards. In addition, there is a slight mismatch between workplace preparedness and state preparedness priorities for cc hazards. This study contributes to the literature on organizational preparedness for cc hazards by providing insights on the current state of workplace preparedness—from the perspectives of employees—for natural hazards associated with the global threat known as climate change. The paper concludes with a policy recommendation and provides an outline for future research on organizational preparedness for cc hazards.
Highlights
In recent years, scholars and policymakers have expressed a mounting concern over the impacts of natural hazards related to the global threat of climate change (O’Brien, O’Keefe, Rose, & Wisner, 2006)
Understanding the degree to which workplaces are prepared for cc hazards is important given that individuals and organizations have historically viewed the concept of climate change as nebulous and ambiguous (Berkhout, Hertin, & Gann, 2006), and there is a lack of certainty about the type, severity, or time of onset of cc hazards (Winn et al, 2011)
The results highlight the importance of risk communication in helping workplaces better align their preparedness for cc hazards with their states’ preparedness priorities for cc hazards. This preliminary study contributes to the literature on organizational preparedness for cc hazards by providing insights on the current state of workplace preparedness—from the perspectives of employees—for natural hazards associated with climate change
Summary
Scholars and policymakers have expressed a mounting concern over the impacts of natural hazards related to the global threat of climate change (O’Brien, O’Keefe, Rose, & Wisner, 2006) Such hazards, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2012a), include, but are not limited to heat waves, droughts, floods, and wildfires. These climate change-related hazards (hereinafter referred to as cc hazards) have become more severe and frequent in recent decades, but are projected to continue to increase in severity, frequency, spatial extent, and duration in years to come (IPCC, 2012a, 2013) In light of this prediction, human systems, including societies, organizations, and individuals have been encouraged to adapt to future climatic changes to limit physical and economic losses (Adger, Arnell, & Tompkins, 2005). When workplaces prepare for the adverse impacts of cc hazards, these direct effects can be minimized allowing workplaces to maintain their production and continue to contribute to the general and economic wellbeing of their community (Burns & Slovic, 2012)
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