Understanding social inequalities in health through the emotional environment at work. The outline of a typology in the commercial sector of home help[Comprendre les inégalités sociales de santé par la dimension émotionnelle du travail. Esquisse d’une typologie dans le secteur marchand de l’aide à domicile]

This articles proposes to show how the emotional environment at work in the commercial sector of home help sheds light on the social inequalities in health in the workplace. With the help of a study carried out in two home help agencies and which is based on more than 328 hours of observation and more than 63 hours' worth of voice recordings from interviews, this work highlights the importance of emotional development on the question of health and safety at work for home help workers. The emotional environment at work is generally masked or restrained, but yet can serve as a resource for professionals looking to become more independent when it comes to organising their work. However, the strategic games of an emotional nature used by the participants, don't always assure them of the benefits. By analysing the relation between emotional resources and identity transactions carried out, the article highlights three typical health pathways: those which succeed, those which keep control and those which disappear. Understanding these issues sheds light on the prevention of professional exclusion in an especially exposed environment.