Pleasenteeism effects on Work Efficiency & Mental Health Of Employees

April 07 2025 TalktoAngel 0 comments 178 Views

Pleasanteeism is a relatively new term that describes the behaviour of employees who feel compelled to appear engaged and positive at work, even when they are experiencing stress, burnout, or dissatisfaction. Unlike presenteeism, where employees work despite being physically or mentally unwell, pleasenteeism involves suppressing negative emotions to maintain a facade of enthusiasm and dedication. This phenomenon can have significant consequences for both employees and organizations, impacting work efficiency and overall mental well-being.

Causes of Pleasenteeism

Several factors contribute to pleasenteeism in the workplace, including:

Workplace Culture: Organizations that emphasize positivity and discourage emotional expression may inadvertently encourage pleasanteeism.
Fear of Job Loss or Repercussions: Employees may feel obligated to appear happy to secure promotions, avoid job insecurity, or maintain a good reputation.
Toxic Productivity Standards: An environment that rewards overwork and unrealistic expectations can push employees to mask their struggles.
Lack of Psychological Safety: If employees fear judgment or discrimination, they may hide their stress or dissatisfaction.
Customer-Facing Roles: Employees in sales, hospitality, and customer service often feel pressured to display positivity regardless of their actual feelings.
Social Expectations: Many employees conform to the societal expectation of staying cheerful and agreeable, even at the cost of their mental well-being.

Effects of Pleasenteeism on Work Efficiency

While appearing engaged might seem beneficial for workplace productivity, pleasanteeism can have several negative effects on efficiency and performance.

1. Reduced Cognitive Functioning

Employees who suppress their emotions expend significant mental energy maintaining a facade. This leaves less cognitive capacity for problem-solving, decision-making, and creativity.

2. Lower Productivity

Employees experiencing pleasenteeism are not fully engaged in their tasks, leading to decreased efficiency, procrastination, and an overall decline in work output.

3. Impaired Communication

Since pleasanteeism involves emotional suppression, employees may struggle to communicate openly, leading to misunderstandings, a lack of collaboration, and reduced team synergy.

4. Increased Mistakes and Errors

When employees are mentally exhausted from maintaining a positive appearance, their attention to detail suffers, increasing the likelihood of mistakes and errors in their work.

5. Lack of Innovation and Creativity

Emotional suppression stifles creativity. Employees who cannot express themselves freely are less likely to contribute new ideas or think outside the box.

Effects of Pleasenteeism on Employee Mental Health

Suppressing genuine emotions to maintain a pleasant demeanour can have detrimental effects on an individual’s mental health.

1. Emotional Exhaustion and Burnout

Constantly putting on a facade of happiness drains emotional energy. Over time, this leads to burnout, characterized by chronic fatigue, detachment, and low motivation.

2. Increased Stress and Anxiety

The effort to maintain a false sense of enthusiasm can lead to heightened stress and anxiety, as employees feel pressure to meet unrealistic emotional expectations.

3. Depression and Emotional Numbness

Long-term pleasanteeism can contribute to depressive symptoms. Employees may struggle with feelings of social isolation and emotional numbness, making it difficult to experience genuine joy.

4. Weakened Coping Mechanisms

When employees constantly suppress their true feelings, they may fail to develop healthy coping strategies. This can result in maladaptive behaviours such as addiction, overeating, or withdrawal from social interactions.

5. Reduced Job Satisfaction and Engagement

Pleasanteeism erodes intrinsic motivation. When employees feel they cannot be their authentic selves at work, they become disengaged, leading to decreased job satisfaction and a higher likelihood of quitting.

Addressing Pleasenteeism in the Workplace

Organizations and employees can take proactive steps to address pleasenteeism and foster a healthier work environment.

1. Promote Psychological Safety

Encourage a workplace culture where employees feel comfortable expressing their emotions without fear of repercussions. Open discussions about mental health should be normalized.

2. Encourage Authenticity

Leaders should set an example by displaying vulnerability and acknowledging their struggles. This reassures employees that they do not need to mask their emotions to be valued.

3. Implement Employee Wellness Programs

Organizations should offer mental health support, counselling services, and wellness programs that provide employees with resources to manage stress and promote emotional well-being.

4. Train Managers to Recognize Signs of Pleasenteeism

Managers should be trained to recognize signs of emotional exhaustion and suppressed emotions in employees. By having regular one-on-one check-ins, they can offer support before pleasenteeism escalates.

5. Create a Balanced Work Environment

Encouraging work-life balance by promoting reasonable workloads, flexible work arrangements, and time off can reduce the pressure employees feel to appear constantly engaged.

6. Foster Meaningful Workplace Relationships

Encouraging supportive peer relationships allows employees to share their struggles in a safe space. When employees feel valued and supported, they are less likely to resort to emotional suppression.

7. Recognize and Reward Effort, Not Just Attitude

Performance evaluations should focus on actual work contributions rather than emotional displays. Recognizing effort and results over superficial positivity can reduce pleasanteeism.

8. Encourage Mental Health Days

Offering mental health days allows employees to recharge without the pressure of pretending to be fine. This promotes overall well-being and long-term productivity.

Conclusion

Pleasanteeism is a growing workplace concern that can significantly impact both work efficiency and mental health. While maintaining a positive attitude is often encouraged, suppressing genuine emotions leads to emotional exhaustion, decreased productivity, and long-term mental health issues. Organizations must foster an environment that values authenticity, psychological safety, and employee well-being. By implementing supportive workplace practices, employees can feel comfortable expressing their true emotions, leading to a healthier, more engaged, and productive workforce.

Contributed by: Dr (Prof.) R K Suri, Clinical Psychologist & Life Coach, & Ms. Riya Rathi, Counselling Psychologist

References

Giorgi, G., Lecca, L. I., Alessio, F., Finstad, G. L., Bondanini, G., Lulli, L. G., ... & Mucci, N. (2020). Working conditions and mental health in Europe: The role of psychosocial factors. Frontiers in Public Health, 8, 590-602. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2020.590602
Hochschild, A. R. (1983). The managed heart: Commercialization of human feeling. University of California Press.
Kahn, W. A. (1990). Psychological conditions of personal engagement and disengagement at work. Academy of Management Journal, 33(4), 692-724. https://doi.org/10.5465/256287
Maslach, C., & Leiter, M. P. (2016). Burnout: The cost of caring. Psychology Today.