Jennifer Newman: dealing with a sexually charged workplace

Work environments that are sexually charged by design can take a toll on employees.

Whether it's through an objectifying dress code or through a business drawing in customers by leveraging a sexualized climate, workplace psychologist Jennifer Newman said tactics like these can have a negative mental impact on workers.

Newman sat down with Stephen Quinn, guest host of CBC's The Early Edition, to break down those negative impacts.

Stephen Quinn: What is a sexually charged workplace?

It's an environment where workers experience sexual objectification and are treated as a commodity or object without regard for who they are as a person or their dignity.

It's common in the service industry — namely restaurants, bars and night clubs — but it's important to underscore not every venue creates a sexually-objectifying environment. It's a business decision, to intentionally create a sexualized climate that emphasizes certain kinds of dress or physical traits.

Women workers in particular can be disadvantaged in these environments that make it difficult to safeguard one's well-being and maintain boundaries.

What are the effects of working in a sexually objectifying environment?

Anxiety can occur along with feelings of degradation and confusion. There can be an increase in body shame which can lead to depression and job dissatisfaction.

There is also a heightened risk of psychological and physical injury due to sexual harassment or sexual assault. This can lead to hypervigilance, fear and chronic anger.

What can companies do if they are concerned about the environment staff are experiencing?

Look at underlying assumptions about profit.

If there's a bias towards thinking profits are better in sexualized environments it's tempting to ignore the costs of turnover, harassment complaints or depressed workers.

And protecting workers from preventable injury is an employer's responsibility. Pride can be taken in creating a work environment that is safe and enjoyable for customers and staff alike.

When you say these climates send negative messages about women and as a result everyone suffers, what do you mean?

Creating a sexually objectifying environment has an impact on everyone who works there.

For example, if a server witnesses sexual harassment against a female colleague and brings his concerns to a manager, and those concerns fall on deaf ears, that can lead to feelings of guilt and and powerlessness for the employee.

He may feel he can't continue working at the location and quit the job he once enjoyed.

What can workers in sexually objectifying environments do to safeguard their psychological health?

It's important to not internalize the environment.

Resist seeing yourself the way the workplace may be portraying you to customers. Also, if sexual harassment is occurring, remember it's against the law. Many employers have respectful workplace policies in place as a WorkSafeBC requirement.

If a customer is harassing you, seek help from a manager. If the company doesn't support you, consider moving on or devising an exit plan. Remember many workplaces promote a fun environment that doesn't need to objectify workers to be successful.

And if you notice you're saying negative things about yourself, your body, or your worth, take note.

This interview is edited for length and clarity. Listen to the entire conversation below

With files from The Early Edition