Inclusive leadership and workers' safety behaviour during Covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

PurposeCOVID-19 pandemic underlines the need for effective leadership to resolve the crisis. This study aims to examine the impact of inclusive leadership on safety behaviours via the mediating role of the safety climate.Design/methodology/approachThis research studied and compared two of the industries most affected by the pandemic, specifically banking and education. The questionnaire was undertaken among 111 from the education sector and 159 from the banking sector. Structural equation modelling – partial least square (SEM – PLS) was used to analyse the results.FindingsThe study suggested that inclusive behaviour shaped the safety behaviours among employees through the safety climate. However, the influence of inclusive leadership on the safety environment and safety behaviours of education staff in the company was not as powerful as in the banking sector.Practical implicationsThere's a connection between inclusive leadership and worker protection. Besides, inclusive leadership and its effect on safety behaviour are culturally based. High levels of collectivism encourage leaders to care deeply for their employees' well-being, as demonstrated in this study by the promotion of a healthy working atmosphere, especially in times of crisis.Originality/valueThis research potentially adds to the current literature on leadership and safety behaviour and offers valuable management recommendations.