Abstract
Turkey has been fighting against Coronavirus since March of 2020. During this period, healthcare workers who have been at high risk of becoming infected and transmitting the virus to their relatives were prohibited from resignation and going abroad. In the context of these prohibitions, this study aims to reveal how the stress levels and compulsory citizenship behaviors of healthcare workers were affected during the early stages of pandemic. According to the results of the study, middle-level stress, low-medium compulsory citizenship behavior, and high dissatisfaction with the income level and working conditions have been identified among healthcare workers. In addition to this, intention to quit or stay in job has not been changed during the first three months of the pandemic.
TopIntroduction
In Turkey, thanks to effective measures taken against the Coronavirus, mortality rate was at low levels during early stage of pandemic. In the process which has been carried out according to the 2019 National Pandemic Plan, pandemic hospitals were determined in each region; possible or finalized cases were referred to these hospitals. Non-urgent surgical interventions were postponed in order to use the capacities of health institutions effectively to combat pandemics (Demirbilek vd, 2020). During the period when the virus was most intensely effective, a number of arrangements were made for healthcare workers. In March 2020, healthcare professionals working in the public and private sectors were banned from resigning for 3 months, and public health workers were banned from going abroad together with other public employees.
This research was conducted to evaluate the effects of regulations introduced during the pandemic process on the compulsory citizenship behaviors and stress levels of healthcare professionals. These examinations are an important first step in assessing the effects of stress and compulsory citizenship behavior on employees in health services provided during crisis periods and guiding future planning.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Pandemic: A worldwide spread of a new disease.
Healthcare Worker: A healthcare worker is one who delivers care and services to the sick people either directly as doctors and nurses or indirectly as helpers, laboratory technician.
Pandemic Influenza National Preparedness Plan: The plan which prepared in 2006 as a part of the preparation for influenza pandemic in Turkey. Secure the continuity of public services during pandemic and to reduce the number of patients, hospitalization, and deaths due to the disease are main aims of the plan. Plan also aims to prevent economic and social damage caused by any ongoing pandemic.
Perceived Stress: The thoughts or feelings that a person has about how much stress him/her are under at a given point in time or over a time period.
Organizational Citizenship Behavior: Behaviors that are not included in the contract between the employee and the organization: but benefit the organization, which in some sense add value to the organization and in return, the employee does not earn any income, income or reward.
Stress: Stress is the mental reaction that occurs when an individual feels that she cannot cope with the demands or threats to her/his well-being.
Citizenship Pressure: A point where the volunteer basis of the Occupational Citizenship Behaviour is lost and the behaviors expected to be displayed by the management and the employee is forced to exhibit the OCB reveals the Compulsory Citizenship Behavior.