Who Considers Leaving a Job in a Pandemic?: Determinants of Online Job Search Behavior in COVID-19

Abstract

Drawing from the unfolding model of voluntary turnover and behavioral immune system theory, we proposed and tested a theoretical model of how the perceived severity of a pandemic affects employees’ turnover intention as well as their virtual job-search behaviors. In an analysis of matched survey and mobile application usage data, we found that the perceived severity of COVID-19 is positively related to employees’ turnover intention, which is, in turn, positively related to the usage of mobile job-search apps. Our findings further disclosed that these relationships were weakened when employees perceived their organizations as more adaptive to COVID-19. When employees perceived their coworkers as more supportive in coping with COVID-19, however, the relationships were strengthened. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.