The Impact of Forced Cheer on Emotional Labor

Forced cheer in the workplace is both a psychological expectation and a source of emotional strain for employees. While smiling can enhance customer satisfaction due to its contagious nature, the lack of evidence linking forced cheer to increased financial performance is significant. The dark side of enforced smiling includes health issues and job burnout, as employees are compelled to display happiness irrespective of their true feelings. This dynamic creates a dissonance between an employee's internal emotions and their external expressions, leading to exhaustion and a breakdown of authentic emotional connections. Over time, employees may resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms or disengage from recognizing their feelings. Although some individuals thrive in customer interactions, the prevailing notion that