ABSTRACT
The regulation of emotion is a fundamental aspect of our social lives (Côté, 2005). It is particularly essential for interpersonal communication (Hareli & Rafaeli, 2008; Van Kleef, 2009), and there is perhaps no greater venue for human communication than our work lives. Consequently, to the extent that jobs involve regular contact with other people, they will necessarily involve the regulation of emotion. Although it is true that jobs in which employees interact with the public likely place greater importance on maintaining display rules (as being effective in these jobs is in some way defined by displaying the appropriate emotions to customers or clients), emotion regulation is likely important to virtually all jobs. As such, we view emotion regulation as a common, even quotidian aspect of our lives at work that impacts important outcomes for virtually all employees.
