Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the concept of emotional labor, highlighting its increasing prevalence in various industries and its impact on employees' well-being and productivity [4][8][26]. Group 1: Definition and Characteristics of Emotional Labor - Emotional labor is defined as the management of one's emotions to meet organizational expectations, often leading to a disconnect between genuine feelings and professional roles [4][5][11]. - Unlike physical or cognitive labor, emotional labor is often invisible and difficult to quantify, making it frequently overlooked in performance evaluations [9][11][12]. Group 2: Impact on Employees - Employees across various sectors, including service industries, report feeling drained and exhausted due to the demands of emotional labor, which can lead to decreased job satisfaction and mental health issues [13][20][27]. - The article provides examples of emotional labor in different roles, such as flight attendants and call center workers, illustrating the toll it takes on their emotional and physical states [7][18][24]. Group 3: Strategies to Manage Emotional Labor - Recognizing the complexity of emotional labor is essential, as it involves balancing personal values with workplace demands [28][30]. - Employees are encouraged to practice empathy detachment, setting emotional boundaries to reduce unnecessary emotional strain [32][35]. - Finding personal outlets for emotional release, such as talking to trusted individuals or journaling, is recommended to mitigate the effects of emotional labor [36][37].