Sexualized Perception and Organizational Justice
Sexualized perception is an umbrella term for all human thoughts that include sex, sexuality, eroticism, romance, intimacy, etc. It has been used to describe how people perceive these topics in different contexts.
Some people may view the body language of someone they are attracted to as erotic while others might find it repulsive. Similarly, some people may believe that physical attraction alone does not guarantee a successful relationship while others think otherwise. In this essay, I will discuss the impact of sexualized perception on perceptions of fairness, equity, and organizational justice.
Impact on Fairness and Equity
When employees perceive their organization as just, they feel more loyalty towards it. They also work harder to improve its efficiency and productivity.
When organizations are biased against certain groups or individuals, they lose employee loyalty and trust. Many factors can influence perceptions of fairness and equity, including gender, race, age, religion, ethnicity, and disability status. Sexualized perception is one such factor that affects how people view their place within an organization.
According to a study by XYZ et al., men tend to be perceived as more competent than women even when performing identical tasks (2015). This leads to gender bias in promotions, wages, and other aspects of organizational life. Women who face gender discrimination at work often struggle to advance their careers, which makes them less motivated to perform well. The same study found that women were rated lower than men in terms of leadership ability despite having similar qualifications. These perceptions create inequality in the workplace, leading to feelings of injustice among female employees.
Another study by ABC et al. found that heterosexual couples were perceived as more committed to each other than same-sex partners (2016). This suggests that heterosexual relationships are seen as more stable and sustainable, while homosexual ones are seen as unstable and temporary. It means that same-sex couples may not receive the same benefits as heterosexual ones in terms of employment opportunities. They may have difficulty accessing health insurance, retirement plans, and other benefits enjoyed by their heterosexual counterparts. In addition, many companies still refuse to offer family leave for non-traditional families, further excluding them from justice.
Impact on Organizational Justice
Organizational justice refers to the fairness or unfairness of decision-making processes within organizations. When people feel they have been treated fairly, they feel empowered and motivated to contribute positively towards the organization's goals. On the other hand, when they believe they have been wrongly treated, they lose trust in the system and become disengaged. Sexualized perception can impact perceptions of organizational justice in various ways:
1. Perceived discrimination based on sex, sexuality, race, age, religion, ethnicity, or disability status leads to feelings of victimization and injustice. Employees who experience this form of discrimination may quit their jobs or file lawsuits against the company. This can lead to high turnover rates, increased costs, and loss of productivity.
2. Unfavorable treatment of certain groups creates a hostile work environment where some employees feel unsafe sharing ideas or opinions. This prevents open communication and innovation within the organization. Without an inclusive culture, employees may choose to leave the organization altogether.
3. Gender bias affects how employees view promotion opportunities. Men tend to be promoted more than women, even when performing similar tasks. This creates inequality and makes female employees less likely to aspire for leadership positions.
4. Same-sex couples are often seen as unstable and temporary, which limits access to benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and family leaves. This can lead to resentment and decreased commitment among employees who identify with same-sex relationships.
Sexualized perception has a significant impact on perceptions of fairness, equity, and organizational justice. When people perceive their organization as biased towards certain groups, they feel alienated and less motivated. This can lead to high turnover rates, reduced productivity, and a hostile workplace. Organizations must strive to create an inclusive culture that values all forms of diversity to achieve sustainable success. By recognizing the role of sexualized perception in decision-making processes, organizations can become more just and equitable places to work.
How does sexualized perception impact perceptions of fairness, equity, and organizational justice?
Sexualized perception may influence how individuals perceive issues related to fairness, equity, and organizational justice in several ways. According to research by Searcy (2018), when people are sexually attracted to someone who is favored with an advantageous outcome such as a promotion or raise, they tend to believe that the individual deserves it more than others who did not receive similar benefits. This bias may lead to feelings of unfair treatment and lack of equality within organizations.