Effects of a Dissolved Workplace Romance and Rater Characteristics on Responses to a Sexual Harassment Accusation

Abstract

We examined effects of a dissolved workplace romance and rater characteristics on judgments of responsibility and recommended personnel actions regarding a sexual harassment accusation. Type of romance and the romance motives of both accused and complainant were manipulated in vignettes describing a terminated liaison that resulted in a sexual harassment accusation. Results based on a sample of 226 sheriff's department employees indicate that judgments differed depending on romance motives, and recommended actions differed depending on romance type and rater characteristics. Implications for management research, theory, and practice are discussed.