Sexual relationships have been known to impact human behavior, including their actions within organizations.
It is unclear how sexual relationships may influence compliance with formal procedures. This study investigated whether individuals who had previously engaged in sexual activity with a colleague are more likely to follow organization policies than those who did not.
To investigate this question, we recruited 100 participants from an office setting. Participants were randomly assigned to either a Sexually Active group or a No-Sexual Activity group. The Sexually Active group consisted of individuals who reported having engaged in one or more acts of sexual intercourse with a co-worker in the past year. The No-Sexual Activity group comprised individuals who had not done so. After completing a questionnaire about their workplace policies, participants completed a short task involving following instructions for filing paperwork. The instructions included several steps that required them to adhere strictly to established protocols.
We hypothesized that Sexually Active individuals would be less likely to comply with organizational procedures than No-Sexual Activity individuals. Our results supported this hypothesis, as Sexually Active individuals demonstrated significantly lower levels of compliance compared to their counterparts. Specifically, they made more errors when following the instructions and took longer to complete the task overall. These findings indicate that sexual relationships may affect one's propensity to abide by organizational rules and guidelines.
This research has important implications for understanding the role of social factors in shaping employee behaviors at work. It suggests that sex may play a significant role in influencing employees' attitudes toward policy adherence. As such, organizations should consider how their policies might impact sexual behavior between coworkers.
It emphasizes the importance of designing work environments that minimize opportunities for these types of activities to occur. By doing so, organizations can foster a culture of strict adherence to policies while also promoting healthy relationships among staff members.
How might sexual relationships affect compliance with formal organizational procedures?
The effect of sexual relationships on compliance with formal organizational procedures can be complex. On one hand, such relationships may lead individuals to prioritize their personal connections over workplace policies and procedures. This can result in laxity in following rules and regulations. Conversely, sexual partnerships may also create a sense of loyalty and commitment that leads employees to adhere more closely to organizational standards in order to maintain positive relationships.