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Barriers to COVID-19 Workplace Safety among Indonesian Office Workers: A Qualitative Study

The Indonesian Journal Of Occupational Safety and Health · Vol. 14 No. 1 (2025) · pp. 4–14

DOI
10.20473/ijosh.v14i1.2025.4-14
ISSN
2540-7872, 2301-8046
Published
2025-04-01
Publisher
Universitas Airlangga
Language
eng
License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0

Abstract

Introduction: Since the first case of COVID-19 was detected in Indonesia, the government has implemented Large-Scale Social Restrictions to control the spread of the disease. However, these restrictions have had a negative impact on the economy. To address this, the government has introduced a new normal policy to restore activities while managing the risk of transmission. The government has adopted WHO guidelines through Minister of Health Decree No. 238 of 2020 to ensure COVID-19 workplace safety. This article aims to explore the barriers to COVID-19 workplace safety among Indonesian office workers. Methods: This qualitative research was conducted in DKI Jakarta and Surabaya from September to October 2020. In-depth interviews and observations were conducted with 22 informants selected purposefully. Thematic analysis was used, drawing on the Social-ecological Model (SEM) theory. Results: At the intrapersonal level, fear and perception barriers impact preventive actions against COVID-19. At the interpersonal level, peer influence and perceptions of the work environment affect adherence to office policies. At the organizational level, employee behavior is influenced by socializing, rules, and workplace amenities. Lastly, public policy enforcement is vital at the macro level to reduce risky behaviors among office workers. Conclusion: Implementing comprehensive protocols across different levels is crucial to creating COVID-19 workplace safety. This requires increased public awareness and consistent enforcement, including strengthening organizational policies.

Keywords

Collaboration network of the authors

40 authors · 112 co-authorship links · 5 across different organisations · showing the 40 most connected

Hover or tap a name to highlight its co-authors. Double-click to open the author's page.

  • University of Brawijaya
  • National Research and Innovation Agency
  • Jenderal Soedirman University
  • Affiliation unknown
  • Different organisations
  • Same organisation
  • Affiliation unknown
  • Thicker line = more joint articles · bigger circle = more articles
Show as table
Co-authorOrganisationJoint articles
Riris Istighfari JenieAffiliation unknown6
Mohamad SyaefudinAffiliation unknown4
Diah Vitri WidayantiAffiliation unknown4
Ratna Asmah SusidartiAffiliation unknown4
Indah PawitaningtyasAffiliation unknown4
Neli PurwaniAffiliation unknown3
Edy MeiyantoAffiliation unknown3
Zalinar UdinAffiliation unknown3
Dwi AstutiAffiliation unknown2
Tri Eko AgustiningrumAffiliation unknown2
Sudarwoto SudarwotoAffiliation unknown2
Nurul YuhanafiaAffiliation unknown2
Virgiawan Adi KristiantoAffiliation unknown2
Cici DarsihAffiliation unknown2
Ani Budi AstutiUniversity of Brawijaya1
Suci AstutikUniversity of Brawijaya1
Nur Silviyah RahmiUniversity of Brawijaya1
Alifiandi Rafi MuhammadUniversity of Brawijaya1
Ulfah MaisarohUniversity of Brawijaya1
Mugi WahidinNational Research and Innovation Agency1
Wawan Ahmad RidwanJenderal Soedirman University1
Doni LasutNational Research and Innovation Agency1
Yurika Fauzia WardhaniNational Research and Innovation Agency1
Kismi MubarokahAffiliation unknown1
Harianingsih HarianingsihAffiliation unknown1
Maharani KusumaningrumAffiliation unknown1
Vera Noviana SulistyawanAffiliation unknown1
Savira Rinda ErlianaAffiliation unknown1
Isnina Noor UbayAffiliation unknown1
Indra Sakti PangestuAffiliation unknown1
Nur QudusAffiliation unknown1
Nelly Setyowati AnggraeniAffiliation unknown1
Ade Novi Nurul IhsaniAffiliation unknown1
Sri Endah WahyuningsihAffiliation unknown1

Affiliations come from OpenAlex; journal OAI-PMH metadata carries none. Authors without an OpenAlex ID are matched by name, which can merge or split people.

Metadata source: OAI-PMH (metadata jurnal) https://e-journal.unair.ac.id/IJOSH/oai, first harvested 10 Nov 2026, last seen 10 Nov 2026.
Original metadata (oai_dc) 
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	<dc:title xml:lang="en-US">Barriers to COVID-19 Workplace Safety among Indonesian Office Workers:  A Qualitative Study </dc:title>
	<dc:creator>Handayani, Sri</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator>Nuraini, Syarifah</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator>Fiitrianti, Yunita</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator>Agustiya, Rozana Ika</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator>Kurniawan, Aan</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator>Propiana, Jane Kartika</dc:creator>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en-US">barriers</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en-US"> COVID-19</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en-US">office workers</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en-US">workplace safety</dc:subject>
	<dc:description xml:lang="en-US">Introduction: Since the first case of COVID-19 was detected in Indonesia, the government has implemented Large-Scale Social Restrictions to control the spread of the disease. However, these restrictions have had a negative impact on the economy. To address this, the government has introduced a new normal policy to restore activities while managing the risk of transmission. The government has adopted WHO guidelines through Minister of Health Decree No. 238 of 2020 to ensure COVID-19 workplace safety. This article aims to explore the barriers to COVID-19 workplace safety among Indonesian office workers. Methods: This qualitative research was conducted in DKI Jakarta and Surabaya from September to October 2020. In-depth interviews and observations were conducted with 22 informants selected purposefully. Thematic analysis was used, drawing on the Social-ecological Model (SEM) theory. Results: At the intrapersonal level, fear and perception barriers impact preventive actions against COVID-19. At the interpersonal level, peer influence and perceptions of the work environment affect adherence to office policies. At the organizational level, employee behavior is influenced by socializing, rules, and workplace amenities. Lastly, public policy enforcement is vital at the macro level to reduce risky behaviors among office workers. Conclusion: Implementing comprehensive protocols across different levels is crucial to creating COVID-19 workplace safety. This requires increased public awareness and consistent enforcement, including strengthening organizational policies.</dc:description>
	<dc:publisher xml:lang="en-US">Universitas Airlangga</dc:publisher>
	<dc:date>2025-04-01</dc:date>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/article</dc:type>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion</dc:type>
	<dc:type xml:lang="en-US">Peer-reviewed Article</dc:type>
	<dc:format>application/pdf</dc:format>
	<dc:identifier>https://e-journal.unair.ac.id/IJOSH/article/view/55382</dc:identifier>
	<dc:identifier>10.20473/ijosh.v14i1.2025.4-14</dc:identifier>
	<dc:source xml:lang="en-US">The Indonesian Journal of Occupational Safety and Health; Vol. 14 No. 1 (2025): The Indonesian Journal of Occupational Safety and Health; 4-14</dc:source>
	<dc:source>2540-7872</dc:source>
	<dc:source>2301-8046</dc:source>
	<dc:language>eng</dc:language>
	<dc:relation>https://e-journal.unair.ac.id/IJOSH/article/view/55382/32039</dc:relation>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en-US">http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0</dc:rights>
</oai_dc:dc>