Can sexual relationships increase susceptibility to favoritism, manipulation, or bias in workplace teams? Yes, they can, and it's important for employers to be aware of this risk when creating and managing their teams. When workers are involved in romantic relationships within a team, there is a greater chance of favoritism and bias occurring. This could lead to problems such as unequal distribution of tasks, unfair promotion decisions, and even harassment.
The Risk Of Favoritism And Bias In Workplace Teams
Favoritism refers to the practice of treating certain individuals preferentially because of personal connections rather than professional qualifications. It is an issue that plagues many workplaces, particularly those where power dynamics are present.
A manager who has a romantic relationship with one employee may give them special treatment, like more lenient deadlines or extra vacation time, which can create resentment among other team members.
If a team member feels that their advancement opportunities are being limited due to someone else's relationship status, this can lead to conflict and a hostile work environment.
How Sexual Relationships Can Cause This Behavior
One reason why favoritism occurs is that people tend to bond and form close relationships with others whom they feel comfortable with or trust. If two people have a strong emotional connection, such as through a sexual relationship, they will likely trust each other more and be more willing to help out. This can result in favoritism towards one person over others on the team.
People in these types of relationships may also experience pressure from their partners to treat them differently at work, leading to further bias.
Solutions To Avoid Problems
The best way for employers to prevent favoritism and bias in their teams is to create clear policies regarding workplace romance. These should include rules against supervisors dating subordinates and guidelines for how managers should handle conflicts of interest. Employees should also be encouraged to report any instances of favoritism or harassment so that action can be taken quickly. Lastly, it's important for companies to promote diversity and inclusion within their workplaces so that everyone feels valued regardless of their personal connections.
While there are some benefits to having intimate relationships between coworkers, such as increased communication and empathy, they come with risks that must be managed carefully. By understanding the potential for favoritism and bias and taking steps to prevent it, businesses can ensure that all employees feel respected and valued equally.
Can sexual relationships increase susceptibility to favoritism, manipulation, or bias in workplace teams?
One study found that those who had recently engaged in sexual relations were more likely than their peers to display favoritism towards coworkers they perceived as attractive (Levy, 2017). Another study indicated that people who were previously sexually involved with coworkers reported higher levels of conflict within their team than those who did not (Lui & Chu, 2019).