The level of health and safety promotion in workplaces of Czech family-owned manufacturing firms: a case study

Purpose – The purpose is to evaluate the workplace health and safety promotion in small and medium-sized, very often family-owned companies in the Czech Republic which is currently a hot topic in the context of the coronavirus pandemic. Aim – Based on the questionnaire previously created by authors, the aim is to implement research and to find out how Czech family manufacturing firms approach the workplace health and safety promotion. Design/methodology/approach – Empirical research methods were used. The survey on a sample of 1056 respondents was implemented. Findings – Data were processed using statistical methods. Also, Chi-square test and statistical test results were used. The most important finding is that although the situation in conceptional questions of workplace health and safety promotion is not good in Czech family manufacturing firms, they are still managing implementation of workplace health and safety promotion very well. Limitations of the study – The limiting conditions of the survey can be seen in the return rate of questionnaires (27.1 %) and on the fact that findings are based on a one-sectional sample in one country. The further direction of research can be seen in focusing also on companies from other branches. Practical implications – The conducted research can provide guidance on how to assess the level of health and safety promotion in workplaces of small and medium-sized companies. It presents criteria of KPIs, on which it is possible not only to evaluate the workplace health and safety support, but also to define activities of which implementation would lead to improvement of workplace health and safety promotion. Originality/value – Based on the implementation of this original research, the article provides an insight into the current state of the addressed issue. The paper may be beneficial for practitioners involved in promoting workplace health and safety and in another small and medium-sized manufacturing companies.