Role of human resource policies in ensuring women’s safety in the workplace

Abstract

This paper aims to assess how human resource (HR) management policies affect women’s workplace safety. In addition, this study analyzes the degree to which measures have been taken to ensure that working women have a safe environment. Responses from 208 women working in Saudi Arabia’s small and medium-sized private businesses were gathered. The paper employed a survey questionnaire using snowball sampling technique. Thus, critical HR practices that have an impact on workplace safety for women are highlighted. As women frequently face these difficulties, the findings suggested that HR policies should tailor working women’s needs in maternity, health, transportation, childcare, and a safe workplace. Moreover, support for divorced and widowed workers would significantly increase women’s safety at work. Compared to other HR policies, there is a stronger correlation between medical and maternity leave. This paper supports research on women’s safety and HR management in the Saudi context and has significant practical implications for practitioners. Acknowledgments The author thanks all the respondents who participated and contributed by giving their valuable opinions and making this study possible.

Keywords

• HR policies
• women’s issues
• workplace harassment
• workplace safety
• workplace security