This study investigated pleasure and suffering of the sellers of a construction material company using the approach of psychodynamic of work. Pleasure consists of professional experience achievement and freedom of speech. Suffering refers, on the other hand, to emotional exhaustion and lack of recognition. During suffering experiences, it is possible to identify defensive, compensational and subjective mobilization strategies. In this study, collective semi-structured interviews were conducted with two groups of seven sellers each. After that, the interviews were submitted to a thematic categorical content analysis. The results pointed out that the categories were "resentment", "pressure at work", "tiredness", "ambiguity in the relationship with their bosses", "fear" and "distrust". Based on the resulting categories, it is possible to identify the prevalence of suffering at work related to the pressure, the overload and the lack of freedom to speak about the work. The defensive strategies applied by the sellers, however, have not been enough to protect them from mental and physics illness. This study is concluded with some recommendations to the company and suggestions of new studies.
psychodynamic of work; pleasure-suffering; construction material sellers