Employee emotions in organizational change: a scoping review on employee experiences in a changing healthcare environment

Abstract

Introduction: Due to factors such as nursing shortages and constant change, the situation in healthcare organizations has become increasingly challenging. To find solutions to the increasing staff shortage, it is important to investigate employees’ emotional experiences in healthcare. Leaders’ capability to hear and react to employees’ emotions and to understand what kind of emotions may arise while facing the change is important. The purpose of this study is to provide an overview of employee emotions and experiences during change in healthcare. Method: A scoping review design was chosen to identify from previous research how healthcare employee emotions have been described in organizational change and how these employees experience change management. Data was gathered in September and October 2022 using material available in PubMed, Google Scholar and CINAHL databases. A total of 55 articles were evaluated, and 18 articles were chosen. Six themes were identified from the data: sense of control, commitment, employee emotions in change, trust and support in management, the emotional intelligence of management and transparency in change. Results: Organizational change alters the sense of control of healthcare workers. Not understanding the change and its meaning often leaves employees concerned and worried. Not receiving adequate information seems to increase change resistance and the cynicism of employees towards change. How employees experience change is strongly connected to the formation of trust towards the management of an organization. There seems to be a clear void in leaders advocating for their employees and providing professional guidance through a change process, and an expressed need for inclusion in the early phases of change. Discussion: Data shows that employees require managerial support throughout a change process and that trust and emotionally intelligent leadership are key in the positive experience of change. Employees must be offered the opportunity to influence the change process and receive adequate information openly. A change situation raises multiple emotions in employees, both positive and negative. The viewpoint of employee emotions in organizational change calls for further research.