Impacts of Emotional Labour on Employee Retention in The Health Sector

Abstract

The health sector is one industry where a human-oriented approach predominates and interpersonal relationships are more intense. According to research, these professionals must display the appropriate emotions when dealing with patients and their families. Employees must, therefore, put in their emotional labour in addition to their cerebral and physical labour to meet these demands, although there aren't many studies in this field. The study aimed to investigate the effect of emotional labour on employee retention in the Ghanaian health sector using professional health workers at Bechem Government Hospital in the Tano South Municipality as the unit for analysis. The study was conducted at the Bechem Government Hospital in the Tano South Municipality of Ghana. The basic random sample method was used to choose the research participants. A sample size of 110 professional health workers was used. The major data collection instrument utilised by the researcher was a questionnaire. A descriptive statistic and an inferential statistic (such as an independent t-test) were used to run the data acquired using the study questions. From the findings, it was revealed that professional health workers, on average, exhibited high levels of emotional labour. Also, among the findings, it was revealed that emotional labour affects health workers’ retention. The study concludes that emotional labour is crucial in determining employees' work outcomes. Therefore, It is recommended that management of health institutions should often discuss and offer advice on the individual's professional development, explaining how this position will meet that demand.