Invisible Hours: Social Service Work and Unpaid Labour

This article was based on a larger study examining emotional stress in social service workers at the intersection of professional expectations and the “emotional labour” that accompanies day-to- day work. Social service workers are defined for this study as individuals who are employed in a position where they provide support for individual clients’ mental, emotional and social welfare over an extended period of time (this definition intentionally excluded occupations such that offer primarily medical care, which are outside the scope of the study). The results of the survey showed social work as a profession filled with mature workers whose commitment and passion for their job is tempered by the intrusive emotional labour that can claim their off hours. In addition, the findings showed that unpaid overtime is normalized in the field and workers may feel expected to give their job more than just the hours they are paid for. These findings offer some considerations for why social work experiences a high turnover rate despite the dedication and commitment of the workers.