Visible and invisible Work Done By Adults of Urban Areas – An Analysis *
At different stages of our life, we come across many people who help us directly or indirectly at different places; at our workplace , in home as well as outside . Some are noticed but many go unnoticed and their work / support does not come in visibility. It has been observed that in some families, members are more supportive, helpful and work silently for others. In some good organizations also , management inculcates culture of cooperation, support and helpfulness besides encouraging a healthy competition .Some works are easily noticed , acknowledged and sometimes paid, while invisible work is usually not acknowledged and is unpaid, yet essential for societal and individual well-being.
Why do some people silently help each other, despite being not recognized, noticed, valued or sometimes exploited? What type of work/help they provide? All these aspects are discussed in this article.
Why Do People Help and Work for Others, Despite Not Being Recognized?
- May be, they just like helping other people, for self-satisfaction.
- Out of love and affection.
- Societal pressure, pressurized by a person or group of people. They don't have any other option but to work.
- To keep oneself busy as don’t have any other job/ work.
- For self-importance and ensure self-existence.
- To create good name, fame in society, want to be known as a good person or as a Social Worker.
- Helping nature is sometimes in built in a person's personality. As a habit ,learned in their families from the childhood , The virtues of helping in many families is a family tradition / culture.
- Purposely helping others with some purpose or motive in mind. For self-gain or benefit.
- Helping for the growth of the family, workplace or society.
- As a duty /responsibility / job in the family or at the workplace.
- Sometime the person does not know or does not understand why she or he is working for others may be mentally and emotionally conditioned or brain washed.
- Some times what a person could not achieve himself/ herself, she/ he helps other person to fulfill those dreams.
- Many religious preachings and moral education teach to Help Each Other without any selfish interest ….. Selfless Service.
- There can be multiple factors for helping others.
(List is not exhaustive)
People Who Help Others Can Be Categorized As:
In Family Setup:
- Parents (Mother/Father).
- Grandparents / grand uncles / grand aunts.
- Cousins (both sisters and brothers).
- Aunties / Uncles.
- Helpers.
- Wife / Husband.
- Neighbors.
- Other Relatives Close or Distant.
In official set up or work place;
- Colleagues of the same level, juniors / seniors, bosses, other staff. Unknown people.
Few activities are natural and are social duties like parents taking care of family members , bringing up their children ,looking after sick old aged parents , looking after other sick family members
(List is not exhaustive).Activities can be categorised as Noticeable, Recognised and Unnoticeable and or not Recognised
Following Activities can be categorised in one or more groups
- Preparing and providing Food, just giving a glass of water to drink etc..
- Picking and dropping from the place.
- Silently listening to what one says.
- Just sitting with the person / just be there with her / him.
- Providing Information/ latest updates, developments and, important information.
- Discussions, talking and discussing to person even if she / he does not feel like talking.
- Nursing during illnesses.
- Supporting in ones' decision.
- Waiting to come back home/ or other place.
- Taking care of financial requirements; food, education, travel, clothing, comfort, treatment , arranging marriage, travel, providing facilities etc.
- Providing Security just by being with the person.
- Keeping things ready and in proper place; books, clothes.
- Reminding for any activity and action or work.
- Emotional support /consoling, counselling.
- Participate and spending time with the activity which other person likes.
- Watching program according to her/his choice.
- Making food and other things of her / his choice.
- Keeping own ambition, carrier, choices, interests at the backsides.
At work place; working extra, working without credit / without payment.
Working for Social cause; Helping women, children, old people and others who are in distress, supporting families during financial crises, helping during diseases, death and natural calamities.
Support provided can be broadly categorized as; Emotional support, Physical support. Financial support, Guidance , Knowledge / information, Security etc.
Conclusion; impact of invisible work at home
Work / tasks that are essential but are not financially compensated like household chores, child care and care of elders is invisible but is critical for the smooth functioning of the society.
Hidden or unrecognized; tasks that are not easily seen like mental load of planning and organizing are hidden and unrecognized but impacts mental health. Invisible labor can lead to exhaustion, stress , and resentment, particularly when it is not recognized and acknowledged. Managing emotions and relationships at workplace and home is also a type of invisible work.
Some activities are done as responsibilities /duties and these may or may not be paid but people just do it. Activities that are not noticed take time and energy and may affect persons finances, sleep, mental and physical health. Many Times people may not feel that they are overdoing it or even sometimes are being exploited. Invisible work at home is usually done by women only.
Nirmal Tikku, Ex Deputy Director, NIPCCD, New Delhi. July 2025