An Empirical Analysis of the Mediating Role of Fear of COVID-19 Between Telecommuting and Employees Retention

Telecommuting has been found to have a profound effect on employee turnover intention. However, the literature is vague in understanding the mechanism through which telecommuting affects employee retention (ER). Grounded on the conservation of resource (COR) theory and social exchange theory (SET), this study examined the impact of telecommuting on ER and fear of COVID-19 and the subsequent impact of fear of COVID-19 on ER. The study also investigated fear of COVID-19 as a mediating mechanism between telecommuting and ER. Data collected from 307 employees working in nonprofit and nongovernmental organisations in Balochistan, Pakistan was analysed using PLS-SEM. The findings showed that telecommuting was positively related to ER while its relationship was negative and significant with fear of COVID-19. Further analyses showed that fear of COVID-19 was negatively related to ER. The findings further revealed that fear of COVID-19 mediated the influence of telecommuting on ER. The overall results demonstrate the importance of telecommuting in strengthening ER and reducing fear of COVID-19. The study provides a tool for policymakers and management practitioners to set up plans for a situation like COVID-19 in the future. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10672-023-09448-3.