Sexual relations are often associated with emotional attachments and feelings of closeness between partners.
Can these relationships also influence the dynamics within an organization where power is distributed unequally among employees?
The answer may be yes. In recent research studies, it has been found that those who have engaged in sexual relationships with their superiors or subordinates are more likely to experience favoritism, bias, or covert manipulation in the workplace. This phenomenon is known as "sexual favoritism." When one person has a higher position than another, they may use this power to benefit themselves through decisions made about promotions, raises, assignments, or performance evaluations.
This type of favoritism is not always intentional, but rather a result of the imbalance of power between two individuals.
A superior may feel indebted to a subordinate for personal favors received outside of work hours. As such, they might give them preferential treatment to return the favor. Conversely, a subordinate may feel obligated to reciprocate the attention given by their boss by going above and beyond in their duties.
Sexual favoritism can lead to other forms of discrimination within organizations. Those who do not engage in such relationships may feel excluded or disrespected, leading to negative attitudes towards coworkers. This creates tension and divisiveness within teams, which ultimately affects productivity and morale.
Sexual favoritism can create legal liabilities if employees file complaints against the organization for creating a hostile work environment based on sex or gender.
To avoid these issues, companies should implement policies prohibiting sexual relations between superiors and subordinates. These guidelines should be clearly communicated to all employees from the beginning and regularly reinforced through training sessions. Companies must also take steps to ensure that all employees are treated fairly regardless of their personal relationship status with colleagues. It's important to have clear expectations regarding what constitutes acceptable behavior in the workplace to prevent misunderstandings or confusion about what is appropriate.
While sexual relations may provide emotional benefits for some people, they can also have detrimental effects on team dynamics in an organizational setting. By understanding how sexual favoritism works and taking proactive measures to prevent it, employers can create healthy and equitable environments where everyone has equal opportunities to succeed.
Can sexual relationships increase susceptibility to favoritism, bias, or covert manipulation in organizations?
Yes, research has shown that sexual relationships can lead to favoritism, biases, and even covert manipulation in an organization (Kim & Liu, 2019). When two people have a romantic or sexual relationship at work, they may feel more comfortable around each other, leading them to prioritize each other's needs over those of their colleagues.