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In the Eye of the Hurricane: Careers under Lockdown

Author

Listed:
  • Maria Mouratidou

    (Business School, University of Cumbria, Lancaster LA1 3JD, UK)

  • Mirit K. Grabarski

    (Faculty of Business Administration, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1, Canada)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has created career disruptions and shocks for many individuals, due to layoffs, reduced work hours and increased work–life conflict. Our study aimed to explore individual-level perceptions of people regarding their careers during the first lockdown in the UK, and to test potential implications of the situation for individuals’ career sustainability. For a deeper understanding of these perceptions, we used a sequential mixed-methods research design. First, we conducted a qualitative study, using semi-structured interviews to explore how people perceive their careers during early stages of the pandemic. We identified two themes that characterize the common experiences during this time period, namely employer support and careful optimism, that play an important role in the way careers unfold. Then, in the quantitative study, we conducted an online survey to empirically test a research model that links the concept of employer support with employability, career satisfaction and mental well-being. We also investigate the mediating role of career empowerment, which is a motivational cognitive construct that captures individual cognitions of agentic control over one’s career. Our research provides a rich snapshot that depicts people’s perceptions of careers during a shock event, which has both theoretical and practical implications.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Mouratidou & Mirit K. Grabarski, 2022. "In the Eye of the Hurricane: Careers under Lockdown," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-15, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:22:p:15098-:d:972911
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Brian Bell & Mihai Codreanu & Stephen Machin, 2020. "What can previous recessions tell us about the Covid-19 downturn?," CEP Covid-19 Analyses cepcovid-19-007, Centre for Economic Performance, LSE.
    2. Sucipto & Bambang Budi Wiyono & Ach. Rasyad & Umi Dayati & Lasi Purwito, 2021. "The Contribution of Individual Characteristics of Managers to the Success of Equivalency Education Programs of the Community Learning Center in Indonesia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-16, October.
    3. Aurelian-Petruș Plopeanu & Daniel Homocianu & Ionel Bostan & Ana-Iolanda Vodă & Nelu Florea, 2021. "Sustainable Careers: Reliability of Job Satisfaction Predictors for Employees Aged 50+. Evidence from Romanian Development Regions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-23, July.
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