Znaczenie pracy emocjonalnej w wypowiedziach liderek Ogólnopolskiego Związku Zawodowego Pielęgniarek i Położnych

Abstract

Human labour can be analysed in terms of fulfilling human material needs or an activity aiming at social integration and communication. Social significance of work is closely related to its ethical aspect expressed among others through compliance with workers’ rights protected by trade unions. The purpose of the presented analyses is to present the perception of employees’ and trade union problems by the female leaders of the All‑Polish Union of Nurses and Midwives. The discussed considerations are based on qualitative research and focus on the problems of emotions related to trade union activity, negotiating and solving employees’ problems. Due to in‑depth interviews conducted with the female trade union leaders in this sector it was possible to identify indicate ways of dealing with the encountered employees’ problems and indicate characteristic emotions accompanying negotiations. Thus they illustrate the significance of maintaining control, ‘putting on a brave face’ and treating the trade union activity as the emotional work. All the analyses contribute to the discussion of issues connected with labour relations and interpersonal workplace relationships.