Doing extreme work in an extreme context: situated experiences of Chilean frontline healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

This paper problematizes micro-level conceptualizations of extreme work to develop new research directions. The paper shows how frontline healthcare workers interpret and articulate ideas about doing extreme work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Two interconnected themes are discussed: a narrative of professional opportunity, related to identifying the extreme context as a space of opportunity to re-shape understandings about their professional purpose and gain professional legitimacy, and a narrative of occupational heroism, related to a way of doing extreme work that focuses on establishing dependable relational dynamics and working extremely as a means to become indispensable. The article reinforces the importance of the situated understanding of work settings and suggests a research agenda that can help to inform HRM policies and practices to manage and develop specific groups of professionals.

Keywords:

• Extreme work
• working extremely
• extreme context
• work and employment
• HRM
• COVID-19 pandemic
• frontline healthcare workers

Acknowledgments

The authors are indebted to all the kinesiologists who took part in this study. The authors wish to thank the two anonymous reviewers for engaging with the ideas developed in this paper, and for their useful comments and suggestions.

Disclosure statement

The authors have no interests to declare.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, upon reasonable request.