Sexualized behavior is common in many workplaces, but it can have an impact on employees' perceptions of fairness and justice. When employees perceive that their bosses are treating them unfairly, they may feel dissatisfied with their jobs and less motivated to perform well. Procedural justice refers to how employees perceive the fairness of the processes used to make decisions about pay, promotions, job assignments, and other aspects of their work lives. Distributive justice concerns whether employees believe they receive what they deserve in terms of compensation and benefits.
When employees see their bosses engaging in sexualized behaviors such as flirting, making suggestive comments, or touching them inappropriately, this can create a hostile environment where they may question the fairness of their treatment. If they feel that their bosses are using sexuality to gain favorable treatment for themselves or others, this can undermine their belief in procedural justice. Employees who perceive unfair procedures may feel frustrated, angry, or resentful, leading to decreased motivation and productivity.
Distributive justice also comes into play when employees notice that some people are treated differently based on gender, age, race, or appearance.
If one employee gets a raise while another does not, despite both having similar performance records, this could be seen as unfair. Similarly, if some employees get preferential treatment in terms of job assignments or promotions, this could lead to feelings of injustice. If these differences seem linked to gender or physical appearance, it is even more likely to cause conflict.
Sexualized behavior can have a negative impact on employees' perceptions of justice, creating an atmosphere of unfairness and distrust. To avoid this, employers should promote fairness and equity in all areas of the workplace, including hiring, pay, promotion, and decision-making processes. By doing so, they can ensure that all employees feel valued and respected, regardless of their personal backgrounds or characteristics.
How does sexualized behavior affect employee perception of procedural and distributive justice?
It is important to note that employees perceive procedural and distributive justice differently depending on their gender, age, and cultural background. Some researchers have found that female employees tend to value procedural justice more than male employees, while male employees may prioritize distributive justice over procedural justice (e. g. , Dadwal et al. , 2017).