Sexual relationship can have a significant impact on an individual's motivation to put in extra effort at work, known as "discretionary effort." This is because when individuals are in a sexual relationship with someone they feel close to, it can create a sense of connection and belonging that makes them more willing to go above and beyond their normal job responsibilities.
Being in a sexual relationship with someone can increase feelings of loyalty and commitment towards the organization, which can further encourage discretionary effort.
This effect may be moderated by other factors such as organizational culture and employee personality traits.
If employees perceive their organization to be highly supportive and positive, they may be more likely to engage in discretionary effort regardless of their personal relationships.
Extroverted individuals may be more likely to engage in discretionary effort than introverts due to their greater social needs and desire for interpersonal connections.
While there is evidence that sexual relationship can influence discretionary effort, the specific mechanisms through which this occurs remain unclear.
Employee engagement refers to an individual's emotional and psychological investment in their work, including their enthusiasm, dedication, and involvement in their job. Sexual relationship can play a role in this by creating a stronger emotional attachment to one's workplace, leading to increased engagement. This is because individuals who experience high levels of intimacy within their romantic relationship tend to feel more connected to their partner and thus seek to integrate their lives more closely with their partner's life, which often includes their job. Moreover, individuals who are sexually attracted to their partner may feel a stronger sense of affiliation with their organization and colleagues, increasing their motivation to perform well.
It should be noted that not all sexual relationships lead to higher engagement; some research suggests that those who experience sexual harassment or pressure from supervisors may actually have lower engagement due to feelings of guilt or shame.
Individuals who prioritize work over their personal lives may also have lower engagement even if they are in a satisfying sexual relationship.
Organizational commitment refers to an employee's psychological connection to their organization, characterized by a willingness to exert extra effort on its behalf. A sexual relationship can create a strong bond between an individual and their organization, leading to higher commitment. Specifically, employees who experience sexual attraction towards their co-workers may feel more invested in their organization and want to contribute to its success out of loyalty and pride.
Individuals who perceive their organization to value and support relationships within the workplace may be more likely to develop a positive attitude towards their organization, further enhancing commitment.
There is evidence that certain types of relationships, such as cross-gender pairings, may increase anxiety and tension at work, reducing commitment.
Some research suggests that highly committed employees may prefer to avoid romantic involvement for fear of compromising their professionalism or jeopardizing their career advancement opportunities.
How does sexual relationship influence discretionary effort, employee engagement, and organizational commitment?
The impact of sexual relationships on employees' discretionary efforts, engagement, and commitment can be diverse and multi-layered, depending on various factors such as the nature of the relationship, workplace culture, job characteristics, and individual preferences.