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Purpose: Despite mounting evidence that job insecurity triggers counterproductive work behavior (CWB), the underlying mechanism within the association in hybrid employment remains unknown. This study aims to investigate turnover intention as a mediator in the association between job insecurity and CWB, as well as the differences between permanent and contract workers concerning the effect of job insecurity on employees' CWB. Design/methodology/approach: Dyadic data were collected from 213 workers (103 contract and 110 permanent workers) and their supervisors, who were employed in one of the three branches of a Chinese state-owned enterprise, respectively, located in Hunan, Shenyang and Xinjiang. Findings: This study found that job insecurity was positively related to CWB, in which turnover intention acted as a partial mediator. Employment status acted as a moderator between job insecurity and CWB. Originality/value: First, this study extends the theoretical knowledge concerning how job insecurity activates CWB by identifying turnover intention as a mediating mechanism. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to explore the mediating role of turnover intention in terms of job insecurity and CWB. Second, this research expands the understanding of the relation between job insecurity and CWB by investigating this link in the case of contract workers versus permanent workers. Finally, this paper aims to provide an understanding of why contract workers and permanent workers may differ in their reactions to job insecurity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]