1. Sexual Dynamics Compromising Objective Performance Evaluations
Sexuality is often seen as a taboo subject, but it can be one of the most powerful forces in human behavior. It can affect how people interact with each other, including in the workplace.
When an employee's boss has a sexual relationship with them, they may receive better reviews than their peers without such a connection.
This doesn't mean that all sexual dynamics compromise objective performance evaluations. In fact, there are many factors to consider when assessing someone's professional abilities.
2. Types of Sexual Dynamics in the Workplace
There are several types of sexual dynamics that might influence performance evaluations. One type is flirting, where two employees engage in playful teasing or banter. While some companies discourage this behavior, others encourage it. If two employees have a close bond because they flirted during the year, they may support each other more strongly when reviewing projects. Another dynamic is harassment, which can range from verbal comments to physical touches. These actions can make employees feel uncomfortable and unable to focus on their tasks.
There are consensual relationships between co-workers, which may lead to favoritism if managers don't handle them correctly.
3. How Sexual Dynamics Affect Appraisals
When an employer gives positive feedback to an employee based on their relationship status rather than their actual performance, it can skew the appraisal process. This is especially true if the person giving the evaluation knows about the relationship and doesn't want to jeopardize it by providing honest feedback. When this happens, managers must be transparent about why certain decisions were made so that everyone has equal opportunities for advancement.
Supervisors should avoid making personal judgments based on gender, age, race, or appearance.
4. The Role of Gender
Gender can also play a role in how objectively managers evaluate employees. Women often face greater scrutiny for their work, even if they perform at the same level as men. They may receive lower pay or promotions due to stereotypes about their abilities. Similarly, people who identify as LGBTQ+ may experience bias and prejudice, leading to discrimination in reviews. It's essential for companies to ensure that all employees receive fair treatment regardless of their identity.
5. Implementing Strict Policies Against Sexual Harassment
To prevent sexual dynamics from compromising objective evaluations, businesses need strict policies against harassment and relationships. These guidelines should outline what behavior is unacceptable and provide consequences for violating them. Companies should also train managers to recognize when something crosses the line between flirting and harassment.
Managers must hold themselves accountable for their actions and not let personal feelings affect professional decision-making. By taking these steps, organizations can create a safe environment where employees feel valued and respected.
To what extent do sexual dynamics compromise objective performance evaluations, appraisals, and promotions?
The extent to which sexual dynamics may compromise objective performance evaluations, appraisals, and promotions is often debated among researchers in organizational behavior and human resource management (e. g. , Choi & Park, 2017; Fiske & Neuberger, 1998; Hewlett et al. , 2007).