Sexual relationships are a common occurrence among colleagues in various workplaces. In some companies, they may be seen as acceptable while others view them as taboo. When people enter into these relationships, it often has an impact on their working environment due to the intense feelings involved. As such, there is a tendency for the feedback given about their performance to become skewed when viewed through the prism of this relationship. This means that both praise and criticism take on different meanings depending on how much sexual attraction exists between the parties. The emotional lens adds a new dimension to employee interpretations of feedback, resulting in either inflated praise or magnified criticism.
When employees receive positive feedback from managers who have been romantically linked to them, they may feel a sense of pride and joy that transcends mere professional satisfaction. They may believe that their hard work has been recognized by someone special to them, leading to increased motivation and dedication. On the other hand, when negative feedback is received, they may see it as a personal attack rather than constructive criticism. They may feel hurt and betrayed, questioning why they were singled out for criticism instead of their peers. These reactions can cloud judgment, causing employees to dismiss valid points made during the review process.
When employees receive negative feedback from managers with whom they are not sexually involved, they may struggle to accept it without emotionally reacting. They may feel frustrated and confused, struggling to understand why they aren't meeting expectations. They may also feel like the manager is being unfair or biased against them based on some personal issue.
They may be more willing to accept positive feedback, seeing it as genuine recognition of their efforts.
Employees tend to view feedback through an emotional lens when there is a sexual element present, making it challenging for managers to provide accurate and unbiased assessments.
How do sexual relationships alter employees' interpretations of feedback, either inflating praise or magnifying criticism through an emotional lens?
Sexual relationships can have both positive and negative impacts on how employees receive and interpret feedback from supervisors. On one hand, if a supervisor is providing positive feedback, it may be received more favorably by those who are romantically involved with each other. This could lead to employees perceiving their work as being better than it actually is, which can create false expectations about future performance.