Sexualized behaviors are actions that involve expressing or portraying oneself as sexually attractive to others through gestures, clothing, or body language. They can range from subtle displays of affection like hand holding and kissing to more explicit activities such as intercourse. Sexualized behavior has been observed to play a significant role in influencing employee's emotional labor, empathy, and relational trust. This essay will examine how it affects these three aspects and provide examples to illustrate their impact.
Emotional Labor
Emotional labor refers to the act of managing and displaying one's feelings for the benefit of others. In the workplace, this may include greeting customers with warmth and enthusiasm or maintaining professional decorum while dealing with difficult situations. Employees who engage in sexualized behavior may find themselves having to balance their personal desires with the need to be perceived as competent professionals.
If an employee is known for flirting with coworkers, they may feel pressured to keep up appearances when interacting with clients even though they would rather be intimate.
Empathy
Empathy involves understanding another person's thoughts and feelings. When employees engage in sexualized behavior, they may struggle to fully understand their colleagues because their attention is focused elsewhere.
Co-workers who do not participate in such activities may feel left out or alienated.
If two employees frequently display sexual behavior towards each other during meetings, it could create tension between them and other team members who do not share that interest.
Relational Trust
Relational trust refers to the belief that someone will act in your best interests and follow through on promises made. Sexualized behavior can erode this trust by creating a sense of unequal power dynamics among employees. If one person feels like they have more leverage due to their physical attraction, it could lead to resentment or mistrust from others. This was evident in the case of Harvey Weinstein, whose sexual advances towards subordinates created an atmosphere of fear and distrust in his company.
How does sexualized behavior influence emotional labor, empathy, and relational trust among employees?
Research shows that sexualized behavior in the workplace can have significant impacts on employee's emotional labor, empathy, and relational trust. Specifically, when coworkers engage in sexualized behaviors such as flirting, joking, and touching, it can create an atmosphere of distrust and unease, which can lead to increased feelings of stress and anxiety for those who do not participate in such behavior.