No reward for leaning in: the workplace toll of emotional labor

Have you ever forced a smile or suppressed your emotions to maintain professionalism at work? If so, you’re familiar with emotional labor. Emotional labor is the effort required to manage our emotions and display certain behaviors to meet the expectations of our job. A recent study revealed that this type of labor disproportionately affects women and can lead to a range of negative consequences including burnout, anxiety, and decreased job satisfaction. The article, “No reward for leaning in: the workplace toll of emotional labor,” delves into the impact of emotional labor on employees and the urgent need for employers to address this issue.

The article highlights several key findings from the study, including the fact that women are more likely to engage in emotional labor than men. This is particularly problematic in male-dominated industries, where women are expected to be more empathetic and nurturing. The study also found that those who perform emotional labor are less likely to receive promotions or pay raises, indicating that this type of work is undervalued and underappreciated.

As someone who has worked in a customer-facing role, I can attest to the toll of emotional labor. It’s exhausting to always put on a smile and remain calm while dealing with difficult customers. I’ve also witnessed firsthand how emotional labor can disproportionately affect women and lead to feelings of frustration and being undervalued.

Overall, this article serves as a reminder that emotional labor is real and can have serious implications for employees. It’s important for employers to recognize the emotional demands of certain jobs and provide support, recognition, and compensation for those who perform emotional labor. It’s time to stop rewarding overwork and start valuing emotional intelligence and authenticity in the workplace.