Let's work together, especially in the pandemic: finding ways to encourage problem-focused voice behavior among passionate employees

Purpose This study seeks to unravel the relationship between employees' passion for work and their engagement in problem-focused voice behavior by identifying a mediating role of efforts promote work-related goal congruence moderating perceptions pandemic threats organization. Design/methodology/approach The research hypotheses were tested with quantitative data collected through survey instrument administered among 158 employees large Portuguese-based organization that operates food sector, midst coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Process macro was applied assess moderated mediation dynamic underpins proposed theoretical framework. Findings Employees' positive energy enhances propensity speak up about organizational failures because they seek find common ground colleagues respect organization's goals future. such congruence-promoting is particularly prominent extent dwell on holds Practical implications pinpoints how HR managers can leverage negative situation—employees who cannot keep harmful impact life-threatening virus out minds—into productive outcomes, channeling energy, derived from work, toward activities bring problems into open. Originality/value adds management unveiling attempts gather coworkers around shared mindset explain might spur reports problem areas, as well explicating perceived pandemic-related activate this process.