Examining employees under stress by pandemic, hurricane, and bridge closure

As researchers, recognizing and capturing once-in-a-lifetime events in real-time is essential. The researchers felt compelled to document the impacts of the natural disasters, pandemics, and bridge closures that directly affected the geographical area in which they lived. These sequential crises touched countless lives in the region. Most critically, disseminating and recording these rapid developments has been vital so that others may learn from this time when faced with similar situations. It is the duty of researchers immersed in such extraordinary circumstances to acknowledge and examine the implications in the moment, given the singularity of living through consecutive disasters of this nature. Drawing on the propositions of the social exchange theory SET), the purpose of this study is twofold, (a) evaluating the predictive power of natural disasters (i.e., Hurricane Sally, COVID-19 pandemic) and a related event (i.e., Pensacola Bay Bridge closure) toward the average stress felt, and (b) exploring the outcomes of these disasters and the related event on employees' work lives and local economy. The data were gathered from a sample of 305 individuals via an online survey instrument. The respondents were those impacted by the closure of a critical bridge while commuting to and from their place of employment. Multiple regression, graphical, and descriptive analyses were conducted. The bridge closure was found to be the event associated with the highest level of stress. Findings provide valuable practical implications for global business in employee stress management, especially during natural disasters and corresponding events. Further practical and theoretical implications are discussed.