The emotional labour of accountancy

Abstract

Purpose

This paper seeks to suggest that the typical western workplace culture, especially in the accounting profession, is predicated on a masculine, emotion‐free template, and that this poses specific challenges and difficulties for women.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on conceptual claims and secondary data from studies of emotion, work and gender.

Findings

It was found that female accountants may have to make some difficult choices in the workplace due to their socialization as being more emotionally aware and attuned than men.

Originality/value

The paper underlines the importance of the emotion‐work link in accounting, and how it relates to gender.

Citation

Strongman, K. and Wright, S. (2008), "The emotional labour of accountancy", Pacific Accounting Review, Vol. 20 No. 2, pp. 102-106. https://doi.org/10.1108/01140580810892454