What is sexual tension in the workplace?
The concept of sexual tension has been present since the beginning of human civilization, but it was not until recent decades that we started paying attention to its impact on organizations. Sexual tension refers to the feeling of being attracted to someone romantically or sexually without acting upon this attraction. This phenomenon can be observed in many different contexts: friends, family members, co-workers, bosses, subordinates, etc. When this type of energy goes unaddressed, it affects productivity, communication, collaboration, trust, motivation, well-being, safety, and morale.
Why does sexual tension exist in the workplace?
There are several reasons why sexual tensions arise in workplaces. Firstly, people spend more time together than they do with their families and friends, so they get closer emotionally. Secondly, employers often bring individuals from various backgrounds who have different values and beliefs into contact with one another. Thirdly, some jobs require workers to rely heavily on each other for completing tasks; therefore, they feel obliged to develop relationships beyond professional ones. Fourthly, employees can become aware of their colleagues' physical attributes due to the nature of the job (e.g., firefighters). Lastly, some workplace settings might encourage intimacy due to their structure or culture (e.g., startups).
What are the consequences of unaddressed sexual tension?
Unaddressed sexual tension causes disruptions in the organizational environment by making individuals uncomfortable at work. It may manifest itself through a decrease in efficiency because people are distracted by thoughts of their partners.
It leads to rumors about office romances that hurt team cohesion and interpersonal relationships.
Gossips may question the legitimacy of certain promotions or accuse others of being unfairly treated. Moreover, sexual tension has been linked with increased stress levels, absenteeism, turnover intentions, and decreased commitment to the organization. In extreme cases, it even results in lawsuits, fines, and reputational damage.
How to address sexual tension?
There is no silver bullet solution for dealing with sexual tensions in the workplace.
We can take some measures to minimize its negative effects:
- Establish clear policies on sexual harassment and misconduct;
- Educate employees about what constitutes an acceptable or unacceptable behavior;
- Promote open communication between supervisors and subordinates;
- Provide training sessions where workers learn how to deal with attraction towards co-workers;
- Encourage managers to intervene when they observe signs of discomfort among colleagues;
- Create channels where workers can report incidents without fearing retaliation;
- Allow personal relationships as long as they do not affect performance and company culture.
Sexual tension is natural in any group of people who spend time together but should be addressed promptly to prevent organizational costs such as low productivity, mistrust, high stress levels, and potential legal liabilities. Organizations must have a plan B beforehand to respond quickly and effectively to these situations.
What are the organizational costs of unaddressed sexual tension in workplace groups?
In workplaces where employees have unresolved sexual tensions with each other, there can be several organizational costs. These include reduced productivity due to stress and anxiety caused by the tension, disruption of team dynamics and communication as individuals try to navigate around the issue, and potentially legal liabilities if harassment complaints arise from the situation. Additionally, morale may suffer as people feel uncomfortable and uneasy, leading to higher turnover rates.