What is sexualized behavior?
Sexualized behavior refers to actions or attitudes that involve or express sexual desires or intentions towards others. It can range from subtle flirting to blatant harassment, and can take many forms, such as verbal comments, physical touching, gestures, or suggestions. In the workplace, it often leads to discomfort, distraction, and conflict among employees, affecting their productivity and job satisfaction. This has significant consequences for employee engagement, retention, and professional commitment, which are key factors for organizations' success and well-being.
Sexualization and employee engagement
Employee engagement refers to an individual's emotional and psychological attachment to their organization, where they feel connected, motivated, and committed to their work and colleagues. When employees experience frequent instances of sexualized behavior, such as unwanted advances, derogatory comments, or suggestive jokes, they may feel uncomfortable, embarrassed, and even threatened. As a result, they may withdraw socially, avoid certain situations or people, or leave the company altogether. These feelings reduce their ability to focus on their tasks and perform effectively, impacting their job performance and productivity.
If other employees see these behaviors tolerated or ignored, they may also become disengaged, leading to a decline in morale and team spirit.
Retention
Retention refers to an employee's decision to remain with their current employer rather than seeking opportunities elsewhere. When workers face regular instances of sexualized behavior, they may feel unsupported, belittled, or unsafe, making them seek alternative positions where they can work without fear or harassment. This loss of talent is costly for companies, who must invest time and resources in recruiting and training new hires, while also missing out on valuable expertise and knowledge from departing staff.
Those who stay but continue experiencing sexualized behavior may be less likely to give their best efforts, potentially damaging relationships and projects within the company.
Professional commitment
Professional commitment involves an employee's willingness to go above and beyond what is expected of them, such as taking on additional responsibilities or working longer hours. Sexualized behavior can undermine this commitment by creating tension and distrust among colleagues. Employees may be unwilling to collaborate openly, fearful of saying or doing the wrong thing, or unable to fully trust others. This reduces their motivation and drive to excel, decreasing the quality of their work and contributions. Moreover, it may lead to burnout, exhaustion, and even resignation, further depleting organizational resources and capacity.
The impact of sexualization on employees
Sexualized behavior has a significant effect on employee engagement, retention, and professional commitment, leading to reduced productivity, morale, and loyalty. Companies that fail to address these issues risk losing valued workers and disrupting project progress, ultimately harming their reputation and success. Therefore, effective policies, procedures, and training are essential to promote respect, safety, and inclusion in the workplace, benefiting all stakeholders.
How does sexualized behavior influence employee engagement, retention, and professional commitment?
Sexualized behavior has been found to have significant impacts on employee engagement, retention, and professional commitment. Research suggests that employees who experience sexual harassment are more likely to leave their jobs, perform poorly, and suffer from negative mental health outcomes than those who do not (Mackay & Ferguson, 2019).