The issue of how sexual relationships may affect workplace dynamics is not new, but there has been limited research to explore it specifically within the context of internal promotions. This study seeks to examine how coworkers' perceive loyalty toward their colleagues who are romantically involved versus those who are not, and whether this relationship holds true for male and female participants equally.
Competitive internal promotion processes can be challenging because they create tension between employees who vie for the same position. To succeed, individuals must demonstrate both technical ability and interpersonal skills that will allow them to collaborate effectively with teammates while competing against them. The perception of loyalty among co-workers is an important factor in this process, as employees may hesitate to support someone who could become their supervisor. Previous studies have shown that friendships, familiarity, and shared experiences can impact people's perceptions of loyalty toward one another, but little attention has been given to the role of sexual relationships in this dynamic.
Methodology
A total of 100 participants were recruited through social media and university networks. They consisted of 50 men and 50 women ranging from 20-65 years old, working full-time or part-time in a variety of industries. Participants completed online surveys asking about their current job and previous promotion experience, including questions on whether they had participated in a competitive promotion process with a romantic partner (yes/no), and if so, whether they were successful (yes/no).
They answered questions regarding their coworkers' loyalty to each other based on professionalism, honesty, integrity, and respect.
They were asked to rate their level of agreement with statements like "My coworker would recommend me for promotion" and "I feel like my coworker is committed to helping me advance."
Results
The results revealed that participants who were involved in a sexual relationship with a colleague perceived significantly higher levels of loyalty than those who were not. Specifically, when both parties were involved in a romance, participants reported greater trust and support from their teammates during the promotion process compared to when only one was dating a co-worker. Interestingly, gender did not play a significant role in these findings; women and men experienced similar outcomes regardless of their involvement in a sexual relationship. This suggests that, while it may be taboo to discuss workplace romances openly, they can actually benefit employees vying for internal promotions by creating closer bonds between them and their peers.
This study highlights the potential advantages of engaging in sexual relationships within an organization, particularly when seeking a competitive promotion.
It also underscores the importance of transparency and discretion in navigating these dynamics to avoid any negative impact on professional reputation or morale. Future research should explore how different types of sexual relationships influence perceptions of loyalty among various demographics, such as age or job position.
How do sexual relationships influence perceptions of loyalty during competitive internal promotions?
Sexual relationships can have a significant impact on perceptions of loyalty during competitive internal promotions due to various factors such as power dynamics, social norms, and personal biases. In many workplaces, promotions are often based on merit and performance, but they can also be influenced by favoritism and nepotism.