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An Ethical Analysis of Emotional Labor

Author

Listed:
  • Bruce Barry

    (Vanderbilt University)

  • Mara Olekalns

    (Melbourne Business School)

  • Laura Rees

    (University of Missouri - Kansas City)

Abstract

Our understanding of emotional labor, while conceptually and empirically substantial, is normatively impoverished: very little has been said or written expressly about its ethical dimensions or ramifications. Emotional labor refers to efforts undertaken by employees to make their private feelings and/or public emotion displays consistent with job and organizational requirements. We formally define emotional labor, briefly summarize research in organizational behavior and social psychology on the causes and consequences of emotional labor, and present a normative analysis of its moral limits focused on conditional rights and duties of employers and employees. Our focus is on three points of conflict involving rights and duties as they apply to the performance of emotional labor: when employees’ and organizations’ rights conflict, when employees’ rights conflict with their duties, and when organizations’ rights conflict with their duties. We discuss implications for future inquiry as well as managerial practice.

Suggested Citation

  • Bruce Barry & Mara Olekalns & Laura Rees, 2019. "An Ethical Analysis of Emotional Labor," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 160(1), pages 17-34, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:160:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1007_s10551-018-3906-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-018-3906-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Fulmer, Ingrid Smithey & Barry, Bruce, 2009. "Managed Hearts and Wallets: Ethical Issues in Emotional Influence By and Within Organizations," Business Ethics Quarterly, Cambridge University Press, vol. 19(2), pages 155-191, April.
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    Cited by:

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    3. Jaeyoung Lim & Kuk-Kyoung Moon, 2023. "Exploring the Effect of Emotional Labor on Turnover Intention and the Moderating Role of Perceived Organizational Support: Evidence from Korean Firefighters," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-18, March.

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