Impact of COVID-19 on Employee Well-being in Apparel Industry in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Sri Lanka is one of the most vulnerable developing countries suffering from the emergence of novel COVID-19 pandemic. Along these lines, the Sri Lankan apparel sector was mainly impacted. Examining the impact of epidemics on the well-being of employees who work in the Sri Lankan apparel industry is a notable research direction as per the empirical evidence. Thus, the present study aimed to examine the attributes of perceived pandemic concerns in terms of physical, psychological, financial, and concerns regarding social gaze while investigating the well-being of employees working in the apparel sector during COVID-19. A total of 100 apparel sector employees from 10 different companies in Sri Lanka was selected as respondents using simple random sampling technique. A Google-form based questionnaire was developed for the data collection. Data analysis was conducted applying structural equation modelling using SMART PLS software. The results revealed that employees’ physical, psychological, financial, and concerns regarding social gaze, have a significant influence on their work stress during COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, work stress during pandemic significantly influences employee well-being in the Sri Lankan apparel industry. Moreover, significant indirect influences were identified between physical, psychological, and financial concerns and employee well-being via work stress. The present study provides valuable insights to the human resource officials attached to the apparel industry to mitigate possible work stress of employees to ensure higher employee well-being during pandemic situations.