What is Organizational Justice?
Organizational justice refers to how people perceive their workplace environment to be just, equitable, and fair. It is defined by three main elements: distributive justice (fair treatment), procedural justice (fair process), and interactional justice (fair interactions). These elements are interconnected and can influence each other.
How Does Sexual Involvement Affect Perceptions of Fairness, Equity, and Organizational Justice?
Research has shown that sexual involvement between co-workers can impact perceptions of organizational justice.
When employees believe they have been treated unfairly in terms of promotions, raises, or bonuses, they may attribute this to their own lack of merit rather than systemic issues. This attitude can lead them to feel disengaged from the organization and less committed to it.
Individuals who experience favoritism or bias during performance evaluations based on their sex may see themselves as victims of an unjust system.
Distributive Justice
Distributive justice involves the fair distribution of resources within an organization. When two employees engage in a sexual relationship, there is potential for one to receive preferential treatment in compensation, promotion, or other benefits. This can create feelings of unfairness among other employees who do not benefit from such relationships. Moreover, if the involved employee receives special favors at the expense of others' hard work and effort, it can undermine trust and collaboration within the team.
Procedural Justice
Procedural justice refers to how decisions are made and implemented within an organization. When employees perceive a lack of transparency or impartiality in decision-making processes, they may question the legitimacy of those decisions. If management makes decisions behind closed doors, without input from all parties involved, employees may feel alienated and powerless. Similarly, if managers show favoritism towards certain employees based on personal relationships, it can erode trust and morale throughout the organization.
Interactional Justice
Interactional justice relates to how people interact with each other at work. Sexual involvement between co-workers can lead to jealousy, resentment, and other negative emotions. These feelings can impact team dynamics and interfere with communication and collaboration. It can also lead to rumors and gossip, creating a hostile environment that detracts from productivity.
In what ways does sexual involvement affect perceptions of fairness, equity, and organizational justice?
There is a well-established body of research suggesting that individuals who are sexually involved with one another may perceive themselves as receiving more equal treatment than those who are not sexually involved.