Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual behavior that is either severe enough to create a hostile environment for a reasonable person or one that is quid pro quo - a condition wherein it is expressed or implied that an employee will be punished if they do not respond positively to the sexual advances.
There are many cases where victims of sexual harassment may not necessarily report such incidents, or even know that they have been victimized.
In the workplace, flirtation can range from complimenting someone's looks, making suggestive comments about their body, asking them out on dates outside of work hours, physical touching, and sending sexually explicit messages through digital communication channels like WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, and Facebook. Flirting at work could lead to unconscious sexual aggression or submission depending on how it is received by both parties involved. If one party feels threatened by the other's actions, it can result in unconscious sexual aggression. On the other hand, if the recipient is receptive to the advances, it could lead to unconscious submission or consensual encounters.
Unconscious sexual aggression happens when a person perceives another person as threatening, which triggers a fight-or-flight response. This causes increased heart rate, sweating, and stress hormones in the body, leading to feelings of fear and anger. When this happens, the brain sends signals telling the body to fight back or run away, causing people to react with either verbal or physical violence towards the perpetrator. Unconscious sexual aggression can also manifest itself as passive-aggressive behavior, wherein the victim expresses their frustration indirectly through sarcasm or avoidance. In some cases, unconscious sexual aggression can escalate into physical attacks or threats.
Unconscious submission can be seen as a form of consent for sexual activities. People who are submissive may not have full control over their emotions and decisions, and they may act based on impulses rather than reason. They might feel attracted to the person flirting with them, making it difficult to resist the advances. Submission can also be a learned behavior from past experiences, such as being brought up in an environment that encourages sexual submission. It can happen even without actual sexual activity, as long as there is a power imbalance between the parties involved.
Flirtation at work can result in unconscious sexual aggression or submission depending on how each party interprets the actions of the other. While both reactions are involuntary, they have different outcomes. Understanding these differences can help prevent sexual harassment in the workplace by creating awareness among employees about what constitutes appropriate behavior.
How does flirtation at work affect unconscious sexual aggression or submission?
Flirtation at work can lead to increased feelings of sexual attraction and arousal among employees. This may result in unconscious acts of sexual aggression such as unwanted touching, staring, or remarks that are deemed offensive by others. It can also lead to feelings of submission and subordination, particularly for those who are not interested in engaging in any type of relationship with their colleagues.