Policing in pandemic: Is perception of workload causing work–family conflict, job dissatisfaction and job stress?

• Published date: 01 May 2022
• Author: Misbah Sadiq
• Date: 01 May 2022
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1002/pa.2486

ACADEMIC PAPER

Policing in pandemic: Is perception of workload causing work–

family conflict, job dissatisfaction and job stress?

Misbah Sadiq

Department of Economics and Finance,

College of Economics and Management,

Women, Al Qasimia University, Sharjah, UAE

Correspondence

Misbah Sadiq, Department of Economics and

Finance, College of Economics and

Management, Women, Al Qasimia University,

Sharjah, UAE.

Email: msadiq@alqasimia.ac.ae

Police employees have to work extra during uncertain situations as they are responsi-

ble to maintain law and order. Currently, this department is facing a similar situation

because of COVID-19. Therefore, this study aims at investigating how police

employees' perceptions of workload imbalance their family roles and further increase

their job stress and dissatisfaction. The study collected cross-sectional data from

247 constables performing their duties during lockdown because of COVID-19.

Hypotheses were examined using structural equation modeling. The findings rev-

ealed that police constables' perception of workload cause work–family conflict, job

stress and job dissatisfaction. In addition, work–family conflict mediates the associa-

tions of workload with job stress and job dissatisfaction. The study collected data

from a single source, though Harman's single factor confirmed the absence of com-

mon method variance. This study extends the conservation of resource theory and

has implications for the management and policymakers.

1|INTRODUCTION

Policing, as an important sector have to maintain laws and order in

society (Islam, Khan, Ahmed, Usman, & Ali, 2020). Maintaining law

and order demand a 24 hr duty about which the public is not totally

aware (Malach-Pines & Keinan, 2007). This hectic routine made this

profession very stressful and sometimes because of uncertain situa-

tions, the police have to work extra which makes an imbalance

between their work and family life (Islam, Ahmad, Ahmed, &

Ahmer, 2019; Karatepe, 2013a). Since the outbreak of coronavirus

(COVID-19), this sector is facing a similar kind of situation which has

increased its workload. The first case of COVID-19 (spread across the

places via case transportation) was identified in Wuhan, China (Huang

et al., 2020). Within a few months, this pandemic has hit 216 countries

of the world including over nine million confirmed cases

(WHO, 2020). The widespread of COVID-19 made WHO announce it

as a Pandemic (geographical spread, with effects to a country or

whole world), and a threat for all nations (including developing and

economically deprived ones). There is no vaccine or medicine available

for this deadly virus, thus, precautionary measures (e.g., washing

hands, and maintaining social distance) is the only solution.

Pakistan, a developing country with over 95% Muslim popula-

tion (Khan, Abbas, Gul , & Raja, 2015),islocatedinEastern

Mediterranean Reg ion and the first case of C OVID-19, in the coun-

try, was reported on Feb ruary 26, 2020 when the he alth minister

Zafar Mirza tweet “I can confirm first two cases of coronavirus in

Pakistan. Both cases ar e being taken care of acc ording to clinical

standard protocols & both of them are stable.”Both these cases

were imported from Iran and entered the country through Taftan, a

bordering city betwe en the two neighborin g countries. Within

4 months 197,745 confirmed cases with 4,001 deaths have been

observed (www.covi d.gov.pk).

There are several reasons for the increased cases of COVID-19.

First, unfortunately in most of the countries (e.g., US, UK, France and

Germany), very few screening tests were conducted at the start of the

pandemic (Cossarizza, De Biasi, Guaraldi, Girardis, & Mussini, 2020).

Second, in some countries, victims ignored proper inspections

because of their perception concerning expenses. Third, developing

countries have issues of inappropriate Human Resource systems

where sick leaves are not provided, resulting in individuals' presence

at the office. Yet another reason is the one's attitude toward the pan-

demic, even in the presence of a supportive HR system. Almost all of

the developed and developing economies are trying to cope with

COVID-19 through strict measures. China is an example of the world,

which came out of the crisis with the efforts of all of the stakeholders.

For instance, it is observed that the best way to treat the pandemic

Received: 14 August 2020 Revised: 6 September 2020 Accepted: 11 September 2020

DOI: 10.1002/pa.2486

J Public Affairs. 2022;22:e2486. wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/pa © 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd 1of8

https://doi.org/10.1002/pa.2486