The Impact of Workplace Safety Practices on Employee Intention to Stay in the RMG Sector of Bangladesh: Moderating Role of Employee Safety Training

Abstract

Workplace safety practices in the RMG sector are the demand of the current time. This sector is significantly contributing to the economy is still facing safety problems in Bangladesh. It examines the impact of safety practices on employee retention, with a focus on the moderating effect of safety training. Safety practices encompass fire safety, equipment, and machinery safety. A conceptual framework has been developed to measure workplace safety practices and then its impact on employee retention and has been drawn with the moderating effect of employee safety training. The target population comprised readymade garments (RMG) employees of Dhaka city specially employed in Savar, Gazipur, and Ashulia. Data from 230 Dhaka-based RMG employees were collected through a non-probability convenience sampling technique, employing 28 self-administered questionnaires. Based on the study findings, it was evident that there was a positive and significant connection between the fire safety practices and employee intention to stay scoring .464(r=.464**). In addition, the interaction adds a significant 11.9% to the explanatory power of Fire safety practices when safety training is added with it. The study further showed a correlation value between Safety Equipment and Employee Intention to stay which was .409 (r=.409**). Additionally, in the later phase, the interaction increases the capacity for explanation of the independent variables by a statistically significant 10.2% associated with R2 change (0.102). Another independent variable that was machinery safety was found to have a positively directed relationship with employee intention to stay with a correlation coefficient of .478 (r=478**). Later on, it was evident that the explanatory power of independent variables (main variables) changed significantly by 34.9% when machinery safety practices and safety training were included as a main variable. This research offers insights for HR professionals and managers in enhancing workplace safety and employee outcomes, potentially opening new research avenues.