word
Emotional Labor
ih-MOH-shun-ul LAY-ber
/ɪˈmoʊʃənəl ˈleɪbər/Listen
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Syllable breakdown
emotionallabor
Dictionary meaning
The process of managing one's feelings and expressions as part of job requirements, particularly common in service industries where workers are expected to display specific emotions
Examples
- Flight attendants perform significant emotional labor to maintain calm and positive interactions.
Pronunciation tips
Term coined by sociologist Arlie Hochschild in 1983.
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