From 2015 to 2020, Global Cyber University led the government-funded Emotional Labor Healing 365 Project. This initiative emerged in response to the growing societal challenges of “emotional labor,” which became especially evident in Korea with the rise of service jobs since the 2000s.
Throughout the project, 314 organizations and 9,933 individuals received brain training. The project’s results were later featured in an international journal, illustrating Brain Education’s potential in tackling current social issues. This initiative helped establish Global Cyber University as a premier institution specializing in Brain Education.
Background
OECD statistics indicate that Korea ranks among the highest in work-related stress among its member states. The sharp rise in service jobs in Korea since the 2000s brought about issues related to emotional labor, which became significant societal concerns by 2015. With increased recognition that prolonged work stress can adversely affect physical and mental well-being and even lead to safety incidents, both the government and private sector started implementing remedial measures from multiple perspectives.
However, predominant educational programs at that time largely centered on knowledge-based learning and medical strategies for managing work stress. These methods often fail to produce tangible benefits. Addressing this, the Korean government took several actions, including legal amendments and public awareness drives, to proactively handle and more effectively mitigate work-related stress. A notable initiative was by the Ministry of Employment and Labor, which launched support programs for individuals facing challenges from emotional labor. In 2018, the Korean government also revised the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
Overview and Outcome
In 2015, recognizing the societal gravity of emotional labor, Global Cyber University launched a project focused on addressing these challenges via Brain Education. The project commenced with designing and developing Brain Education training programs. Successive stages involved studying Brain Education’s effectiveness, running government-funded schemes, instituting a certification system for emotion coaching professionals, and culminating with the inauguration of the Brain-based Emotion Coaching Department at Global Cyber University in 2018. This department was conceived to foster specialists in the domain.
1. Research on Brain Education for Mind-Body Healing and its International Academic Recognition
To bolster the validity of its research, Global Cyber University joined forces with Seoul National University Hospital. Their combined research culminated in an online self-training program centered on mind and body healing via Brain Education. Moreover, they designed an intensive training course targeting PTSD stress alleviation, with findings being published in a prominent international academic journal.
- Development of the Mind-Body Training Program to Alleviate Emotional Labor and Work-related Stress (2016)
“The Effects of an Online Mind-Body Training Program on Stress, Coping Strategies, Emotional Intelligence, Resilience.” PLoS ONE 11(8): e0159841. - Formulation of Imagery-based Treatment for Trauma (2018)
“Effects of an Online Imagery-Based Treatment Program in Patients with Workplace-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Pilot Study.” Psychiatry Investig 2018 November 2.
| Phase | Program |
|---|---|
| 1 | Brain relaxation exercise 1 |
| 2 | Brain relaxation exercise 2 |
| 3 | Brain rejuvenation exercise |
| 4 | Relaxation breathing |
| 5 | Chest breathing |
| 6 | Meditation with self-watching |
| 7 | Energy-focused meditation |
| 8 | Brain-refreshing meditation |
| 9 | Meditation for balanced brainwaves |
| 10 | Meditation for emotional release |
2. Execution of the Government-Funded Project for Emotional LaExecution of the Government-Funded Project for Emotional Labor Workersbor Workers
Starting in 2016 and continuing for the next four years, Global Cyber University undertook projects on behalf of the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency. The central objective was to assist workers immersed in emotional labor. Through this effort, 314 organizations, encompassing hospitals and call centers, benefited from Brain Education, focusing on reducing work-related stress by harmonizing mind and body. For its exemplary contributions, in 2018, the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency lauded Global Cyber University as the most outstanding project executor.
| Year | Project | No.of training sessions | Trainees (person) | Participating organizations | Total no. of participants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Prevention and management of emotional labor-related stress through mind-body healing | 27 | 732 | 21 | 782 |
| 2017 | Campaign to protect the rights and interests of workers engaged in emotional labor and to prevent occupational disasters | 57 | 2,537 | 47 | 63,335 |
| 2018 | Emotional labor practice campaign to promote a safety culture at work | 69 | 4,725 | 164 | 27,525 |
| 2019 | Campaign to prevent health problems among customer service workers | 42 | 1,939 | 82 | 27,092 |
| Total | 195 | 9,933 | 314 | 118,734 | |
3. Creation and Implementation of Online and Offline Training Programs for Wider Outreach
To augment its objective, Global Cyber University curated and presented tele-vocational training courses, tailored courses to boost worker competencies, specialized training and certification schemes, and distance education modules.
| Activity | Details |
|---|---|
| Work Stress Coping Skills Course | Emotional Labor Stress Management 365 (e-Learning) |
| Professional Training | Brain-Based Emotion Coaching Expert Training (e-Learning) Immunity UP! Happiness Index UP! MentalHealth365! (e-Learning) |
| Certification System | Emotional Labor Management Instructor |
| Institutional Development | Establishment of the Department of Brain-Based Emotion Coaching |
4. Campaign to Enhance Public Awareness
The Emotional Labor Healing 365 Project wasn’t an isolated effort. It was conducted parallel to societal campaigns that encompassed faculty from Global Cyber University and the wider public. High-traffic venues, such as leading hospitals and bustling railway stations, were selected for these drives, ensuring maximum visibility and eliciting heightened interest and participation in the project.
