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Junça Silva, A., Caetano, António & Lopes, M. (2013). How are you feeling today? Daily emotional experiences in the workplace. Institute of Work Psychology International Conference (IWP).

A. L. Silva et al.,  "How are you feeling today? Daily emotional experiences in the workplace", in Institute of Work Psychology Int. Conf. (IWP), Sheffield, 2013

@misc{silva2013_1732400002996,
	author = "Junça Silva, A. and Caetano, António and Lopes, M.",
	title = "How are you feeling today? Daily emotional experiences in the workplace",
	year = "2013",
	howpublished = "Ambos (impresso e digital)"
}

TY  - CPAPER
TI  - How are you feeling today? Daily emotional experiences in the workplace
T2  - Institute of Work Psychology International Conference (IWP)
AU  - Junça Silva, A.
AU  - Caetano, António
AU  - Lopes, M.
PY  - 2013
CY  - Sheffield
AB  - Purpose
Several authors have called attention for the role of emotions in the workplace. For instance, the affective events theory (AET) has investigated the fleeting nature of emotional reactions to these daily experiences, and their effects in the workplace (Weiss & Cropanzano, 1996). Experiences of emotions at work can be defined through the circumplex model of affect proposed by Russel (1980; 2003). This model suggests that affective states arise from two elementary neurophysiological systems: one related to a pleasure–displeasure continuum and the other to arousal, activation, or alertness. For instance, the degree of activation while experiencing positive (pleasurable) emotions varies considerably (Warr, 2007). Feeling calm and content implies a lower level of activation compared to feeling happy, engaged, excited or enthusiastic. Similarly, unpleasant emotions may range from “feeling bored, sad or depressed” to “feeling upset, anxious or angry”. Bakker and Oerlemans (2011) highlight that: a combination of emotions with high pleasure and high activation is needed for optimal job performance. 
Our goal is threefold: 1) identify the most experienced emotions in the workplace; 2) analyze them within the circumplex model of affect (Russell, 1980) and; 3) explore differences between working sectors, gender and age. 
Design/Methodology: 
We conducted two studies. The first was a qualitative one, in which, semi-structured interviews were conducted (n=36). Participants from the financial sector identified and described emotional reactions experienced on the present working day. After that, we conducted a diary study on a call center through 10 working days (n=51). At the end of the day, participants briefly described emotions felt on that working shift.
Results
Overall, data from both studies originated 571 daily emotions experienced at work (283 positive and 288 negative). Regarding positive emotions, in the first study participants reported having felt more often satisfaction, contentment and feelings of joy. On the second study the most reported positive emotions were satisfaction, pleasure and happiness. Regarding negative emotions, participants of the first study experienced more regularly sadness, upset and irritation at work. Participants of the second study reported more frequently feelings of discomfort, anger and irritation. 
When we analyzed it into the light of the circumplex model of affect we found that: on the first study participants reported more commonly low arousal positive emotions and high arousal negative emotions. On the second study, participants identified feeling both high and low arousal positive emotions, however they described more often high arousal negative emotional experiences at work. 
Limitations
We used self-report measures, which might influence the data. In order to overcome this limitation, in the first study we asked participants to describe emotions happened on that working week. Likewise, the diary study covers emotions experienced on that working day. 
Research/Practical Implications
This research has a strong potential for practical application in organizations within many broad human-resource functions such as job-designing, performance management, and training, as well as implications for more narrow domains like customer service.
Originality/Value
The paper offers insight into daily emotional experiences occurred in two distinct sectors of work. 



ER  -