Sexualization is defined as the act of making something or someone appear more sexually appealing than they actually are. Sexualizing involves assigning gender roles to objects or people based on their physical attributes and behaviors. In many societies, including those where women hold positions of power, sexualizing has become a major concern because it can have negative effects on morality, ethics, health, safety, and productivity.
When workplace environments promote sexualized culture, employees may experience decreased motivation and engagement due to feelings of guilt, shame, discomfort, embarrassment, and fear.
When workers view coworkers as sexual objects, they may lose respect for them, which can lead to decreased teamwork and communication skills. If workers feel that they must constantly monitor their behavior to avoid being labeled as 'the office slut', they may be less likely to take risks and contribute new ideas to the group's goals.
When sexualizing becomes normalized in an organization, it may create competition among employees who want to please supervisors through flirtatious activities rather than focusing on professional achievements.
Sexualized culture also affects employee commitment to organizational goals because it creates distractions from tasks. When workers focus on impressing one another with provocative clothing, suggestive comments, and sexual advances, they may not fully devote themselves to their jobs. This can result in sub-optimal performance levels that reduce the overall effectiveness of teams, departments, and entire organizations.
Sexualizing at work can lead to increased absenteeism and turnover rates if employees find the environment too unpleasant or stressful to endure.
Organizations should address sexualized culture by implementing policies prohibiting harassment and discrimination based on sex, gender, race, age, religion, and other protected classes. Managers should model appropriate behavior, such as treating all employees equally and avoiding favoritism. Companies can promote a healthy and inclusive workplace culture by encouraging diversity and open communication between individuals. By creating a positive work environment where employees are valued regardless of appearance or behavior, managers can improve motivation, engagement, and productivity levels across the board.
How does sexualized culture affect engagement, motivation, and commitment to organizational goals?
Sexualized culture can have both positive and negative impact on individuals' engagement, motivation, and commitment to organizational goals. On one hand, it may promote creativity and innovative thinking as well as increase job satisfaction and productivity when employees feel free to express themselves through their sense of humor or flirt with co-workers.