Emotional labor

Definition

Emotional labor refers to the process of managing feelings and expressions to fulfill the emotional requirements of a job, often requiring individuals to suppress their true emotions and display prescribed feelings instead. This concept is particularly relevant in contexts where interpersonal interactions are essential, and it highlights the intersection of gender, power, and the expectations placed on individuals in various roles.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Emotional labor is often most visible in service-oriented professions, such as nursing, teaching, and hospitality, where employees are expected to maintain a cheerful demeanor regardless of their true feelings.
2. Women are more likely to be engaged in jobs that require high levels of emotional labor, reflecting societal norms that associate caregiving and nurturing with femininity.
3. The demand for emotional labor can lead to emotional exhaustion, burnout, and decreased job satisfaction when employees feel they cannot express their true emotions.
4. The concept was introduced by sociologist Arlie Hochschild in her 1983 book 'The Managed Heart,' which explored how emotions can be commodified in the workplace.
5. Emotional labor can impact power dynamics within organizations, as those who perform it often have less authority or recognition despite its significant contribution to the overall success of the workplace.

Review Questions

• How does emotional labor manifest in service-oriented jobs, and what implications does this have for workers?
  • Emotional labor manifests in service-oriented jobs through the requirement for workers to present a positive demeanor and manage their emotions even when they feel differently. This can lead to implications such as emotional exhaustion and burnout since workers often suppress their true feelings to meet job expectations. The expectation for emotional displays can also create a disconnect between personal identity and professional roles, affecting overall job satisfaction.
• Discuss the gendered aspects of emotional labor and how they influence workplace dynamics.
  • Emotional labor is heavily gendered, with women disproportionately represented in roles that require significant emotional management. These roles reinforce traditional gender norms that associate femininity with care and nurturing. As a result, women may face additional pressures in the workplace, impacting their career advancement opportunities and creating power imbalances where their contributions are undervalued compared to their male counterparts.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of emotional labor on individuals within the workforce and its broader social implications.
  • The long-term effects of emotional labor on individuals can include chronic stress, mental health issues, and a sense of alienation from one's work. This not only affects personal well-being but also influences workplace culture by fostering an environment where employees may feel compelled to conform to unrealistic emotional expectations. On a broader scale, the undervaluation of emotional labor perpetuates systemic inequalities in the workforce, particularly along gender lines, highlighting the need for organizational changes that recognize and support emotional well-being.

Related terms

emotional intelligence: The ability to recognize, understand, and manage our own emotions as well as the emotions of others, which is crucial for effective communication and relationship management.

gender roles:

Socially constructed roles that dictate how individuals should behave based on their gender, influencing expectations around emotional expressions in both personal and professional settings.

service work: Jobs primarily focused on providing a service to others, often requiring significant emotional labor due to the nature of customer interactions and the need for positive emotional displays.