“Without work, I am nothing, I have no identity”:

a qualitative study in a Brazilian public organization

Abstract

Mental health in the workplace is a subject of great relevance and impact in the daily life of organizations. Leaders have to deal with increasingly constant demands in the work environment. The implementation of management actions to prevent psychological and behavioral disorders, as well as providing emotional support, has been increasingly required. Considering that work is essential for the formation of human identity, this article aims to analyze, based on the verbal report of fifteen leaders of a Brazilian public organization, experiences related to mental health issues in the workplace. More specifically, this article presents the importance attached by work to the professional life of these leaders. Through the analytical perspective of the psychodynamics of work, meanings attributed to work are described in this article, discussing its effects on the human psyche. Fifteen in-depth interviews were conducted with formal leaders of the Organization under study. These leaders are strategic to the Organization. Categorical content analysis was performed from the transcribed interviews. As a result, a strong affective link between the leaders and the Organization under study was identified. The management of quality of life at work was identified as essential in the organizational context. The act of working implies feeling useful and valued. The survey provides to the public administration professionals a comprehensive understanding of issues related to the human factor at work. This article proves that the Brazilian public administration needs to pay attention to the development of good practices in people management. Several relevant issues are presented and discussed, seeking for a conformity in people development practices.