Loneliness and Contemporary Work: Multiple Perspectives of Analysis

Abstract

It is not allowed the use for commercial purposes. Este artigo pode ser copiado, distribuído, exibido, transmitido ou adaptado desde que citados, de forma clara e explícita, o nome da revista, a edição, o ano e as páginas nas quais o artigo foi publicado originalmente, mas sem sugerir que a RAM endosse a reutilização do artigo. Esse termo de licenciamento deve ser explicitado para os casos de reutilização ou distribuição para terceiros. Não é permitido o uso para fins comerciais. ABSTRACTPurpose: To reflect on the faces of loneliness within the contemporary work context contemplating it: 1. as affect that results from coexistence and social interaction; 2. as a symptom of unease at work, the result of managerial ideology; and 3. as a source of development, reinvigoration and formation for an individual. Originality/value: This study is relevant because it makes it possible for us to take a new look at loneliness within the work context as a resource to liberate the worker. Design/methodology/approach: This study is a theoretical essay, based on a review of the literature of various fields of knowledge (sociology, psychology, philosophy and administration), and is an interdisciplinary reflection on various currents of thought which discuss the faces of loneliness. Findings: We have found that loneliness in contemporary work can be seen as harmful, given the everyday violence within the organizational environment, work that has lost its meaning, a lack of solidarity among workers, or it can be seen as a necessary virtue for the development and emancipation of the subject. Even though this is seen by most studies as a negative phenomenon, it is not restricted to physical distance, and much less trying to escape from life. It can also be seen as the search to awaken something in oneself and repositioning of the values and culture inculcated by organizations.

A pathway to greater meaning in life and well-being for senior executives beset by anti-meaning

“…Work-wellness refers to gaining satisfaction and enrichment from one’s work and the ability to express one’s values at work ( Miller and Foster, 2010 ). The social milieu of the workplace sets the stage for satisfying meaning-related needs, such as connectedness and recognition ( Siqueira et al, 2019 ) and achieving personal goals ( De Klerk et al, 2006 ; Miller and Foster, 2010 ). Although meaningful work or finding meaning through work does not equate to meaning in life, it is a primary source of personal enrichment and meaning ( De Klerk, 2023 ).…”

“…Constant pressure; high stress levels; stigma associated with acknowledging stress Rook et al, 2016Rook et al, , 2019Harms et al, 2017 Severe time constraints and lack of work-life as balance Quick et al, 2014;Bloom, 2016;Rook et al, 2019;Rath and Satpathy, 2020 Exhaustion and burnout Quick et al, 2014;Sirén et al, 2018 Loneliness, isolation, and social exclusion Quick et al, 2014;Subhashini and Yadla, 2018;Siqueira et al, 2019;Zumaeta, 2019;Van Tilburg, 2021 through snowball sampling. However, few responded favorably and as a result, the sample was skewed towards owner-CEOs.…”

“…The construct of meaning in life was originally conceptualized as a monopolar construct on a continuum from meaningful to meaningless ( Metz, 2013 ; Nyholm and Campbell, 2022 ). However, even meaningful activities can reduce an executive’s net experience of meaning when accompanied by unavoidable side effects that are often experienced by top executives, such as excessive stress ( Rook et al, 2016 ) and loneliness ( Siqueira et al, 2019 ). The monopolar view of meaning ultimately fails to account adequately for activities that are not merely meaningless, but directly oppose and subtract from the overall meaning experience ( Nyholm, 2021 ; Nyholm and Campbell, 2022 ).…”

Crítica Psicossocial e o Afeto da Alegria nas Organizações Contemporâneas

“…Por outro lado, aproxima-se de pesquisas que pautam os afetos no campo organizacional como forma de ressignificá-los (Dias, Siqueira, Morais et al, 2019;Siqueira et al, 2019;Tater & Drillon, 2019). É neste caminho que este artigo pretende colaborar, em sua discussão acerca da alegria no mundo do trabalho.…”

Ideologia gerencialista e adoecimento mental no trabalho

“…Envolto pelas exigências do trabalho e sua própria realização, o indivíduo não percebe as formulações envolventes dos discursos ideológicos presentes nas instituições, cedem aos interesses do poder institucional e acabam por aceitar passivamente as situações de trabalho a ele impostas (Gurgel, 2015). Desprovidos de afetividade e solidariedade entre as partes, emergem a competitividade, o egoísmo, o isolamento e a solidão (Enriquez, 1990;Gaulejac, 2007;Siqueira et al, 2019), uma fragmentação do universo social e o isolamento do outro (Hall, 2003), dispositivos potentes para as novas patologias que assolam o mundo do trabalho contemporâneo. Gaulejac (2007) afirma que "centrado sobre si mesmo, o indivíduo esquece de se interrogar sobre o funcionamento global da empresa, particularmente sobre a violência que nela reina" (p. 189).…”