Exploring the human consequences of crisis in the hospitality sector: a study from India

Purpose The present study aimed to explore the socio-psychological linkages between perceived job insecurity, loneliness, social support, depression, and interpersonal misconduct among hotel workers during a global crisis. The primary motivation behind this research was the significant problem of increased occupational stress resulting from the negative consequences of the pandemic on all hotel employees, including frontline workers and management personnel. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the pandemic on occupational stress within the hotel sector. Design/methodology/approach This research obtained 269 original survey data from employees in the Indian hotel industry by distributing a questionnaire and employing a convenience sampling method. Subsequently, the data were examined using (SEM). Findings The research findings suggest that there is a positive correlation between interpersonal deviance and depression. Additionally, this study demonstrated that social support can alleviate loneliness but has no significant association with depression. Research limitations/implications This study can help hotel managers create guidelines that address the perceived insecurity and psychological issues faced by employees. Originality/value By understanding the psychological position of their employees, hoteliers can implement strategies to mitigate the negative impacts of the pandemic on their workforces.