The phrase "sexual favoritism" refers to an individual's belief that their company shows preferential treatment based on gender, sexual orientation, or sexual identity. It can be observed in workplaces where some individuals are treated better or worse because of their romantic and/or sexual interests. This is not necessarily true in reality but may be perceived by those who feel they are discriminated against due to their differences from others. Perceived sexual favoritism affects employees' expectations for fairness, recognition, and career mobility in various ways.
Workers who believe that certain coworkers receive unfair advantages often become frustrated and demotivated, which leads them to reduce effort levels and lower productivity. They might also view themselves as less capable than other employees even if they have equal skills and experience.
They may feel more resentment towards their employer and become less loyal, leading to increased turnover rates. These effects can be detrimental to a company's overall performance and profitability.
One way this phenomenon manifests itself is through promotion decisions. Employees who feel they were passed up for promotions based on their sexuality may assume that their managers value other attributes above their own qualifications. As such, they may feel unmotivated to continue working hard or seek out opportunities within the organization. In addition, they may begin looking for new jobs outside the company, believing that they will never achieve success there. This can lead to high employee turnover rates and reduced morale among remaining staff members. Another aspect affected by sexual favoritism is salary negotiations. If an employee feels they are being paid less than peers due to their sexual orientation or identity, they may request higher wages or leave altogether. This could result in decreased revenue for the firm over time.
Perceived sexual favoritism has far-reaching consequences for companies and individuals alike. It affects how employees think about their workplace relationships, job satisfaction, and future prospects. Companies must take steps to ensure fairness across all levels of management to mitigate these problems.
How do patterns of sexual favoritism, even when perceived rather than real, reshape employees' expectations for fairness, recognition, and career mobility?
Favoritism at workplaces can have detrimental effects on employee morale and productivity. This is because it creates an unfair and unequal environment where some individuals are given preferential treatment while others are left out. As a result, employees may feel that they are not being treated fairly and may become disengaged from their work (Ho & Kwan, 2015).