The Role of Empathetic Concern and Communication on Job Tension and Job Satisfaction of Customer Service Employees

Abstract

The authors examine a model of empathetic behavior introduced in the social and clinical psychology literature to determine whether empathy contributes significantly to the job satisfaction or job tension of customer service employees. Both job satisfaction and job tension were found to be influenced by the level of .empathetic concern employees had towards customers, the amount of emotional contagion they experienced, and the degree of communicative responsiveness expressed. Results suggest that management should hire empathetic individuals, develop empathetic skills among their employees, and empower them to act accordingly. Findings have applicability to all service related organizations and businesses.