4187 - PSYCHOLOGICAL, ORGANIZATIONAL, AND HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IMPACT OF CONSECUTIVE NATURAL DISASTERS IN PUERTO RICO

Session: 4183 - FROM PRODUCTIVITY TO PROTECTION: RETHINKING WORK AND ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY IN CLIMATE EMERGENCIES
AUTHORS:
Galarza Laura (University of Puerto Rico ~ San Juan ~ Puerto Rico)
Abstract text:
This presentation discusses research and applied projects designed to examine the organizational, performance management, and human resource management practices utilized in Puerto Rico after various consecutive and diverse natural disasters (hurricanes, floods, earthquakes and the pandemic). The purpose of the qualitative studies conducted was to examine the individual and organizational impact of consecutive natural disasters and pandemic in Puerto Rico. The focus of the qualitative study was to examine the human resource management and organizational initiatives and practices implemented in Puerto Rico after various natural disasters and emergencies (e.g. hurricanes, earthquakes, among others) to assist workers in their recovery & return to work, and for worker retention amidst the disasters. For the qualitative component individual interviews were conducted with supervisors of employees in organizations in Puerto Rico. For the quantitative study, electronic questionnaires were administered to persons in Puerto Rico who had been affected by consecutive natural disasters and the pandemic. Consecutive natural disasters had an impact on individual and organizational variables. At the organizational level the human resource management, performance management, and organizational post-disaster response affected post-disaster worker retention and return to work. At the individual level, the disaster impacted psychological wellbeing variables. The application of work and organizational psychology knowledge and human resource management practices adapted to the specific response to the various steps of consecutive natural disasters can impact worker's and individual's wellbeing, organizational worker retention, the worker's post-disaster return to work, and the organizational ability to return to pre-disaster regular operations.