Measuring Perceptions of New Employee Safety Behavior

In a work situation where there is a relatively high rate of new employee arrival, employees will develop perceptions of how new employees behave in relation to safety. From a very broad perspective, this could range from new employees who are typically unsafe to the point of being reckless, through to new employees typically behave very safely. Where on this continuum that an employee s perception of the safety behavior of new employees falls will probably determine how they are likely to act around new employees. If, for example, they feel that new employees typically behave very safely, they are perhaps less likely to monitor for dangers from new employees. In contrast, if the perception is that new employees can be reckless in regard to safety, employees inclination should be to be veiy careful of the danger they may pose. 

Clearly, an organization does not want to employ individuals that will be a danger to others. However, an organization also needs it workers to appreciate the dangers that can be associated with new employees. Furthermore, it would be useful for employees to understand how their perceptions of the typical new employee may be putting them in danger. The ideal situation is to have new employees that always behave safely, yet a workforce that is very weary of new employee safety 

Scale items— retrospective Scale items—prospective 

Workers that have joined my team have had a positive attitude toward safety Workers that join my team will have a positive attitude toward safety 

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