SEXUALITY IN THE WORKPLACE: Organizational Control, Sexual Harassment, and the Pursuit of Pleasure

TLDR

Flirting, bantering, and other sexual interactions are common in work organizations, yet not all constitute harassment; consensual relationships reflecting workers’ autonomous desire are also prevalent. This paper focuses on consensual workplace sexual relationships by reviewing research on the distinction between sexual harassment and sexual consent. The authors review academic, business, and sociological literature on office romance, including studies of mate selection, organizational policy, and workplace culture. They argue that sexual behaviors in the workplace arise from an interplay between organizational control and individual agency.

Abstract

▪ Abstract Flirting, bantering, and other sexual interactions are commonplace in work organizations. Not all of these interactions constitute harassment or assault; consensual sexual relationships, defined as those reflecting positive and autonomous expressions of workers' sexual desire, are also prevalent in the workplace and are the focus of this paper. We begin by reviewing research on the distinction between sexual harassment and sexual consent. Next we examine popular and business literatures on office romance. Finally we discuss sociological research on consensual sexual relationships, including research on mate selection, organizational policy, and workplace culture. We argue that sexual behaviors must be understood in context, as an interplay between organizational control and individual agency.