Information Regarding Social-Sexual Behavior as an Antecedent to Perceptions of Ineffectiveness in the Workplace

Three experimental studies investigated whether information implying social-sexual behavior (any non-work-related behavior containing a sexual component) by employees would influence judgments of their effectiveness. In managerial and entry-level positions, both male and female employees depicted as engaging in social-sexual behaviors at work were perceived as less effective and less desirable as bosses, compared to identically described managers for whom no social-sexual behavior information was provided. However, these negative evaluations were mitigated when information was provided indicating that these managers were always on-task and effectively using their time at work (Study 3), suggesting that the effectiveness of employees who engage in social-sexual behavior at work is devalued because others believe that these behaviors detract from productive time in the office.