COVID-19, mental health problems, and their detrimental effects on hotel employees’ propensity to be late for work, absenteeism, and life satisfaction

Abstract

The extant literature is bereft of evidence about the detrimental outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic on hotel employees’ mental health (MH) and work and nonwork outcomes. Therefore, our paper examines MH problems as a mediator of the effect of COVID-19 as a stressor on propensity to be late for work (PLW) and absenteeism, as well as life satisfaction (LS). One hundred and fifty-one employees in two national five-star hotels in Turkey completed Web-based surveys. The previously mentioned linkages were gauged via structural equation modelling. Study results reveal that employees who are at risk of getting infected by COVID-19 are beset with MH problems at elevated levels. These employees in turn exhibit PLW and absences from work and display low levels of LS. The results further demonstrate that the threat of COVID-19 triggers employees’ absenteeism. Our paper provides theoretical implications and recommendations for managers in the hospitality industry.