Managerial ideology and mental illness at work

a critical analysis

Abstract

Studies about the world of work and about man’s articulations in his context permeate different perspectives and views, implying a diversity of analysis. In light of the organizational critique, the present theoretical essay aims at discussing the reflexes of managerial ideology in work organization and in employee’s mental illness. In the context of consumption society, characterized by neoliberalism and by capitalist economy’s rationality, building up a career and being successful assume essential values ​​in employee’s subjective universe. By fascination and seduction, which are explicit in affective bonds, managerial ideology uses several strategies for the maximum involvement of employees. The conflicts arising from the relationship between man and work, which are a result of capitalism and its management, are reinforced by managerial ideology and move from organizational level to the psychological one, intensifying psychological suffering, exhaustion and psychosomatic disorders.