Washington — Work-related emotional demands can put employees at higher risk of turnover and “well-being strain,” a recently published research paper concludes.
Researchers from the not-for-profit MissionSquare Research Institute and Kansas State University surveyed more than 2,000 workers across the public and private sectors.
They report that although mental labor such as problem-solving and concentration brings its own stressors, “emotional labor,” such as managing feelings and interactions and staying composed under pressure, hits workers differently.
Findings show that 31.7% of the workers said that emotional demands made them less likely to remain in their positions, with 25.6% saying they intend to find a job elsewhere. Strain from emotional labor also was connected to higher stress, poorer sleep and reduced work-life balance.
In a press release, Zhikun Liu, leader of the institute and co-author of the paper, says the study “underscores the need for employers to rethink how they support employees.”
He adds: “When emotional demands go unrecognized or unsupported, they can drive disengagement and higher turnover – ultimately disrupting employees’ financial stability and long-term security.”
The researchers recommend that employers:
- Identify emotionally demanding roles before they become a source of strain or turnover.
- Treat emotional labor as part of job design.
- Strengthen support for psychological demands.
- Create credible channels for discussing emotional challenges.
- Train supervisors to recognize and respond to emotional strain.
- Provide practical resources for recovery and emotional regulation.
“When employers acknowledge psychological demands, provide support and create space for open discussion, workers are far more likely to remain even in demanding roles,” the paper states.
