logo image

TD Magazine Article

Word Wiz: Emotional Labor

Emotional labor disproportionately affects women.

By

Wed Nov 01 2023

Loading...

In sociologist Arlie Hochschild's 1983 book, The Managed Heart, she coined the term emotional labor. Forty years later, Rose Hackman published her own findings on the concept and its effects across the workforce.

In Emotional Labor: The Invisible Work Shaping Our Lives and How to Claim Our Power, Hackman describes emotional labor as the work people do to edit their emotions on behalf of others. She equates that work to other forms of labor (intellectual, physical, and creative) in how much effort and skill it takes to perform correctly.

Advertisement

In a 2023 conversation with Greater Good magazine, Hackman explains that workplace power dynamics cause emotional labor to fall on those in an inferior position. Unfortunately, that can disproportionately affect women. American Progress's The State of Women in the Labor Market in 2023 highlights that, although women's employment has reached pre-pandemic levels, women are still paid less than men. Women between 25 and 54 years old earn 16 percent less than men, putting women in the position of the invisible and uncompensated work of emotional labor.

You've Reached ATD Member-only Content

Become an ATD member to continue

Already a member?Sign In

issue

ISSUE

November 2023 - TD Magazine

View Articles
Advertisement
Advertisement

Copyright © 2024 ATD

ASTD changed its name to ATD to meet the growing needs of a dynamic, global profession.

Terms of UsePrivacy NoticeCookie Policy