The idea that sex between co-workers can have a negative effect on others is not new. It has been discussed for centuries in various contexts.
This particular case study explores how people's perception of their own behavior changes after they find out about two colleagues having an affair.
In this experiment, participants were asked to read scenarios describing two coworkers having a romantic relationship without knowing it was fictional. They then evaluated whether the protagonist acted fairly towards her colleague before finding out about their relationship. After being informed about the affair, the participant rated whether she thought it was fair again.
The participant answered questions about her overall attitudes toward workplace romance. The results showed that those who believed the protagonist treated her colleague unfairly prior to learning about the affair changed their opinions when they found out about the affair.
This means that when someone finds out their colleague is having an affair, they often see their past actions through a different lens. It also suggests that even if you feel like you are treating someone fairly, your actions may be misinterpreted by others. This could create tension and stress in the workplace.
There are other factors that influence people's interpretation of situations involving sexual relationships at work.
If the colleagues involved are higher up in the company hierarchy, or if they hold more power than the bystander, they may feel less inclined to judge them harshly.
If the company has a policy against workplace romances, the bystander may view the situation as unethical and disapprove of it.
This study provides insight into the complexities of human psychology and how we interpret situations based on our beliefs and experiences. It shows that sexual relationships can have far-reaching consequences beyond just the individuals involved, and how we perceive them can change dramatically with new information.
How does the discovery that two colleagues are involved sexually alter bystanders' retrospective interpretation of past decisions, interactions, and perceived fairness?
The discovery that two colleagues are involved sexually may lead bystanders to reassess their past decisions, interactions, and perceptions of fairness as they consider whether they were aware of or should have been aware of the relationship between the coworkers. This can result in feelings of regret or guilt, as well as changes in behavior towards one or both parties involved.