Between Requirements and Caring – Emotional Labour of Polish Teachers

Abstract

This article reports on data gathered during research on teachers’ emotional work. The author developed the Teacher Emotional Labour Scale (TELS) based on the verified theoretical model. The model is twofold and consists of intrapersonal and interpersonal dimensions of emotional labour. The research took place in public schools. The gathered data indicates that surveyed teachers developed different strategies for working with emotions. They use both deep and surface work. 1/3 of them declared not coping with work-related emotions, which has personal and interpersonal consequences.