Pursuing stability in crisis: The impact of COVID-19-related work changes on information search and job-seeking behaviors

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly altered the way employees work and has had a significant impact on their subsequent behaviors. In this study we applied affective events theory and developed an adjustable mediation model to examine how COVID-19-related work changes influence employees’behaviors. We conducted an online survey and collected data from 571 people employed in various businesses across several provinces in China. The results indicated that COVID-19-related work changes positively predicted work-related information seeking and job-seeking behaviors, with job insecurity serving as a mediator. Furthermore, job embeddedness amplified the positive relationship between job insecurity and the search for work-related information. The theoretical and practical consequences of these results are discussed.