Perceived workplace accident frequency and its impact on employee withholding behaviors and perceived productivity

Toufik Serradj and Amal Saidani

Abstract

This study investigates the relationships between the perceived frequency of workplace accidents, employee withholding behaviors and perceived productivity and examines the moderating effects of perceived risk and proactive communication of safety measures. Based on a sample of 453 employees, from large- and medium-sized enterprises across various high-risk industries, the research tests five hypotheses: the negative impact of the perceived frequency of workplace accidents on perceived productivity; the negative correlation between employee withholding and perceived productivity; the mediating role of employee withholding in the link between perceived accident frequency and perceived productivity; the moderating role of perceived risk in this relationship; and the attenuating effect of proactive safety communication. The results support the first four hypotheses and partially support the fifth, showing that a higher perceived frequency of workplace accidents is associated with increased withholding behaviors, which in turn are negatively related to perceived productivity. Moreover, employees’ perceived risk and proactive communication of safety measures significantly moderate these effects. These findings underline the importance of addressing subjective risk assessments and safety communication strategies as part of an integrated workplace safety and performance management approach. Future research should consider longitudinal designs to further investigate the causal mechanisms underlying these relationships.