Emotions at work and ergonomics: investigation of an evolving discipline through a case study

Abstract. In the world of evolving work, ergonomics tries to adapt itself to propose adapted methods. Work analysis is thus methodologically adjusted to meet the real and changingdemands. We can see emerging, beside activity analysis, new objects studies by ergonomics, as emotions at work. Through a research-intervention led in a home healthcare center, we show the interest to analyze emotions in the workplace. We also present a specific methodology to study them. In addition, we bring a methodological reflection around the question of adaptation of ergonomic analysis and intervention methods, by insisting on the necessary of opening the field to new or emergent objects belonging to the emotional domain of the activity.