In an organization, relational workload refers to the amount of time and effort required to maintain relationships within the organization. This includes tasks such as communicating with coworkers, attending meetings, managing conflicts, and building trust. Emotional labor is the process of managing one's feelings and displaying appropriate behavior in order to maintain relationships and achieve organizational goals. It can be particularly challenging when there are multiple relationships involved, especially if they involve romantic or sexual attraction. Team performance outcomes include productivity, effectiveness, efficiency, and cohesion. These can all be impacted by sexual attractions between team members.
When people have sexual attractions for each other, it can create additional emotional labor, which increases relational workload.
They may need to manage their feelings and avoid expressing them openly to preserve professionalism. They may also spend more time than usual communicating with each other outside of work hours. The result can be that less time and energy is available for achieving team objectives.
Sexual attractions can lead to distractions during meetings or other collaborative activities. This can reduce productivity and effectiveness. It can also cause tension within the team, creating an uncomfortable environment for some members. Cohesion may suffer, leading to decreased motivation and engagement.
To address these issues, organizations can implement policies around sexual harassment and discrimination. These policies should define what types of behavior are acceptable and not acceptable. Training can help employees understand how to recognize and report inappropriate conduct. Managers can set clear expectations about professional boundaries and provide support for team members who experience difficulties.
Teams can take steps to improve communication and collaboration, such as setting ground rules for discussions and providing opportunities for socialization outside of work. By doing so, they can maintain a positive, healthy environment that supports team performance.
How do sexual attractions impact relational workload, emotional labor, and team performance outcomes?
Sexual attraction refers to the desire for physical intimacy with another person of the opposite or same gender. Research suggests that sexual attraction can impact relational workload, emotional labor, and team performance outcomes in several ways. Firstly, when individuals are sexually attracted to one another, they may experience increased levels of stress and strain due to their heightened interest in maintaining positive relationships.