Leader mindfulness and employee safety behaviors in the workplace: a moderated mediation study

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of leader mindfulness on employee safety behaviors by focusing on the mediating role of employee resilience and the moderating role of perceived environmental uncertainty. Design/methodology/approach The authors surveyed 248 employees in the high speed railway company of China in three waves with a two-week interval. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses. The mediating effects and the moderated mediation effects are further tested with bias-corrected bootstrapping method. Findings Leader mindfulness positively affects employee safety compliance and safety participation, and these relationships were mediated by employee resilience. Perceived environmental uncertainty moderated the effects of leader mindfulness on employee resilience and the indirect effects of leader mindfulness on safety behaviors via employee resilience. Originality/value The findings elucidate the significance of leader mindfulness in promoting employee safety behaviors in the workplace.